Bangladesh fined for slow over-rate at Lahore by ICC Media Releases

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Scorecard:	Pakistan v Bangladesh
Player:	Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, SA Bucknor, Nadeem Ghauri, Zameer Haider, MJ Procter
Event:	Bangladesh in Pakistan 2007/08

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DateLine: 18th April 2008

 

Shahriar Nafees reprimanded for breach of ICC Code of Conduct

 

The Bangladesh team was fined for maintaining a slow over-rate while Shahriar Nafees was reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during its third ODI against Pakistan played in Lahore on 13 April.

 

Mike Procter of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Mohammad Ashraful’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

 

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

 

As such, Ashraful was fined 10 per cent of his match fee while each of his players received five per cent fines.

 

The offence is contrary to Section J of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to slow over-rates.

 

In a separate incident, Shahriar was found to have breached clause 1.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.”

 

The incident in question took place in the 21st over of Pakistan innings when, after misfielding, Shahriar kicked and damaged an advertising hoarding. The opener, who got a duck in Bangladesh’s 23-run defeat, pleaded guilty in the hearing that took place at the team hotel in Lahore on 14 April.

 

In explaining his decision, Mr Procter said: “It was Shahriar’s third misfield in the innings and he was obviously frustrated as it was a crucial game because Bangladesh was playing to stay alive in the series.

 

“But it is not the sort of example that players should be setting at any time. Shahriar pleased guilty, apologized for the incident and promised not to repeat it again.”

 

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee. In the case of Level 1 breaches, the match referee’s decision is final and a player does not have a right of appeal.

 

The charge was brought by the two on-field umpires Steve Bucknor of the ICC Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires and Nadeem Ghauri of the ICC Emirates International Panel of Umpires, third umpire Zameer Haider, also of the ICC Emirates International Panel, and fourth umpire Ahsan Raza.

 

Mr Procter reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by the umpires, Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons, manager Shafiq-ul-Haque and Shahriar Nafees.

 

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials can be found at: http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/about-icc/rules-regulations.html