In the aftermath of Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test match against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi, the team faced another setback.
Pakistan was penalized for a slow over-rate, resulting in a fine of 30 percent of their match fee and a loss of six ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points.
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Bangladesh, too, wasn’t spared, though their penalty was slightly less severe: a 15 percent match fee fine and a deduction of three WTC points.
What led to the penalties imposed on Pakistan & Bangladesh?
The penalties were enforced by Ranjan Madugalle, part of the Emirates ICC Panel of Elite Match Referees. Pakistan was found to be six overs short of the required rate, while Bangladesh was three overs short after all time allowances were considered.
As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, a team is fined five percent of their match fee for every over they fall short of bowling within the prescribed time.
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Furthermore, according to Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship's playing conditions, one WTC point is deducted for each over that is not bowled within the allotted timeframe.
Captains of both teams, Shan Masood and Najmul Hossain Shanto, accepted the sanctions, acknowledging their teams’ shortcomings without the need for formal hearings.
Other Disciplinary actions taken during the Test
Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also found himself in trouble during the same Test match.
Shakib was fined 10 percent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for throwing a ball inappropriately towards the batter, Mohammad Rizwan, during Pakistan’s second innings.
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This action breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with dangerous or inappropriate throwing of cricket equipment during a match. Like the team captains, Shakib admitted his offense and accepted the sanction, avoiding a formal hearing.
The Rawalpindi Test left Pakistan not only with the match's results to ponder but also with significant penalties impacting their standing in the ICC World Test Championship.