Babar Azam fined under ICC Code of Conduct for striking stumps in Rawalpindi ODI

Pakistan’s batting star Babar Azam has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point after he hit the stumps with his bat following his dismissal in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

The International Cricket Council said the 31-year-old breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with abuse of cricket equipment or ground fixtures during an international match. It is Babar’s first demerit point in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings when Babar struck the stumps before leaving the field. On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi reported the charge, after which Ali Naqvi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction.


"The Pakistan batter admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction, negating the need for a formal hearing," the ICC said in a statement.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and can go up to a 50 per cent match fee deduction along with one or two demerit points.

Pakistan went on to complete a series sweep over Sri Lanka, with Babar finishing as the leading run-scorer with 165 runs, including his 20th ODI century.

(With inputs from PTI)