By Agnibeena Ghosh
In a major setback for the Pakistan cricket team, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a substantial fine on the Babar Azam-led side for their slow over-rate during a crucial match against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This incident, which took place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday, October 27th, has added to Pakistan’s woes in the ongoing tournament, where they are yet to secure a victory since their defeat to arch-rivals India on October 14th.
The penalty in question saw Pakistan being penalized 20 percent of their match fee due to a one-wicket loss to South Africa. The slow over-rate resulted in Pakistan falling four overs short of the prescribed target, leading to this financial sanction, enforced by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
According to the ICC’s press release, this fine is in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which specifically addresses minimum over-rate offenses. Under this article, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time.
The charge was initially leveled by the on-field umpires, Alex Wharf and Paul Reiffel, alongside third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Richard Kettleborough. Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, accepted the charge and proposed sanctions, obviating the need for a formal hearing.
This unfortunate incident highlights a concerning trend in Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup 2023. Despite being champions in 1992, the team has struggled to secure a victory, and their loss to South Africa marked their fourth consecutive defeat in the ongoing tournament. As the pressure mounts on Babar Azam and his squad, off-field troubles further compound their predicament.
Rashid Latif, a former wicket-keeper and cricket analyst, shed light on the turmoil within the Pakistan cricket team. He revealed that Babar Azam, the team’s captain, is facing a communication breakdown with Zaka Ashraf, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In an interview, Latif disclosed that Azam’s attempts to contact Ashraf from India had gone unanswered. Moreover, the players have allegedly not received their salaries, exacerbating the team’s issues.
Latif’s revelations did not stop there. He hinted at even more trouble on the horizon for Babar Azam and his teammates. It appears that the central contracts, which the players signed before embarking on their World Cup journey, are now under review. This development adds a layer of uncertainty to an already challenging situation for the Pakistan cricket team.
In terms of their World Cup 2023 performance, Pakistan currently has four points from six games, placing them in the sixth position on the tournament table. With only one win in six matches, the team’s prospects of making it to the semi-finals are increasingly bleak. Their next encounter is against Bangladesh on Tuesday, October 31st, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
As Pakistan’s cricket enthusiasts eagerly await a change in fortune, the team’s management, captain, and players find themselves facing a multitude of challenges on and off the field. The slow over-rate penalty imposed by the ICC is just one chapter in what has been a turbulent World Cup journey for the Babar Azam-led side. The focus now shifts to their upcoming match against Bangladesh, where they will aim to turn the tide and salvage their World Cup campaign.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 31st October 2023
