Pakistan batter Babar Azam received a 10 percent fine on his match fee after he hit the stumps with his bat while leaving the crease during the third ODI against Sri Lanka.
Match officials declared that he breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which covers abuse of cricket equipment, clothing or ground fixtures during an international match.
Officials also added one demerit point to his disciplinary record. This became Babar’s first offence in a 24 month period. The incident took place in the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings when Babar was batting on 34 and Jeffrey Vandersay bowled him.
On field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi charged him. Match referee Ali Naqvi from the Emirates ICC International Panel reviewed the matter and suggested the penalty.
Babar accepted the charge and the sanction, so the process moved ahead without a formal hearing. Pakistan completed a 3 0 sweep of the ODI series and Babar ended as the top run scorer with 165 runs, including his 20th ODI century.
Babar now turns his focus to Pakistan’s next assignment. The team will host Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a T20I tri series starting Tuesday.