April 3, 2025: Pakistan’s cricket team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, has been fined 5% of their match fees for a slow over-rate during their second ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The sanction was imposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees after the visiting side was found to be one over short of the target, following time allowances being considered. According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, teams are penalized 5% of their match fees for each over they fall short of bowling within the allotted time.
Rizwan, the Pakistan captain, accepted the fine and pleaded guilty to the offence, which led to the sanction being applied without the need for a formal hearing. The charge was brought against Pakistan by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, alongside third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Chris Brown.
This marks the second consecutive instance of Pakistan being fined for a slow over-rate. In the first ODI against New Zealand in Napier, Pakistan was found to be two overs short, which led to a similar fine. In that match, Pakistan lost by 73 runs, and the slow over-rate penalty added to their frustrations.
In the second ODI, Pakistan faced an 84-run defeat, with New Zealand posting a competitive total of 292/8. Mitchell Hay played a key role for the hosts, scoring a career-best 99* while Ben Sears took career-best figures of 5/59 to bowl Pakistan out for 208. Faheem Ashraf (73) and Naseem Shah (51) offered some resistance, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their second loss in the series.
With the series now standing at 1-0 in favor of New Zealand, Pakistan will look to bounce back in the third ODI, scheduled for Saturday, April 5, in Mount Maunganui.
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