Rawalpindi: In the recent Rawalpindi Test match, both Pakistan and Bangladesh have been penalized for slow over-rates, as per the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan’s cricket team faces a 30 percent reduction in match fees and a six-point deduction from their ICC World Test Championship tally, while Bangladesh has been fined 15 percent of their match fees and penalized three championship points.

According to International Cricket Council, the penalties were imposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Panel of Elite Match Referees. The decision was made after Pakistan was found to be six overs short and Bangladesh three overs short of their targets, even after time allowances were considered. The fines are consistent with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which mandates a five percent fine for each over a team fails to bowl in the allotted time, and with Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, which deducts one point for each unbowled over.

Additionally, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan received a fine of 10 percent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. Shakib was charged after an incident during the 33rd over of Pakistan’s second innings, where he inappropriately threw the ball over the head of the batter Mohammad Rizwan. This act, deemed dangerous, contravened Article 2.9 of the conduct code, which forbids throwing the ball or any cricket equipment in a manner that could endanger players, officials, or spectators.

Both team captains, Shan Masood of Pakistan and Najmul Hossain Shanto of Bangladesh, admitted to the slow over-rate offenses and accepted the sanctions, negating the need for formal hearings. Similarly, Shakib accepted his breach and the proposed sanction, thus also avoiding a formal hearing.

The charges against Shakib were leveled by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Adrian Holdstock, third umpire Michael Gough, and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz. The incident and the subsequent rulings highlight ongoing efforts by the ICC to enforce discipline and maintain the pace of the game in international cricket.