India and Pakistan have each been fined 40% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Group A encounter in the Asia Cup on Sunday, August 28.
Match Referee Jeff Crowe from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel imposed the penalties after it was determined that Rohit Sharma’s and Babar Azam’s teams were two overs short of their targets, even after accounting for time allowances.
According to the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over not bowled within the allotted time.
Both captains admitted to the infraction and accepted the proposed penalty, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Masudur Rahman and Ruchira Pilliyaguruge, along with third umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri and fourth umpire Gazi Sohel, filed the charges.
Regarding the match, Pakistan were dismissed for 147 in 19.5 overs. Opener Mohammed Rizwan (43) and Iftikhar Ahmed (28) were the only batsmen to make significant contributions. The pace and short balls from Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26), Hardik Pandya (3/25), Arshdeep Singh (2/33), and Avesh Khan (1/19) consistently dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup.
In pursuit of 148, India lost KL Rahul for a duck in the opening over. Virat Kohli (35) then stabilized the innings, forming a 49-run partnership with captain Rohit Sharma (12), who struggled at the crease. Mohammed Nawaz’s twin strikes, claiming Sharma and Kohli, reduced India to 3/53.
READ ALSO:
Asia Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma prefers close wins over one-sided victories
Asia Cup 2022: India edges past Pakistan as Pandya shines with bat and ball
Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan’s captain lauds Pandya after loss to India
Subsequently, a 36-run partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav advanced the score, before debutant Naseem Shah dismissed Suryakumar for 18. Jadeja (35) and Hardik Pandya (33*) then forged a 52-run stand, bringing India close to victory. In-form Pandya sealed the win with a six, with two balls remaining, securing a five-wicket triumph for India.
Nawaz (3/33) and Naseem Shah (2/27) bowled effectively for Pakistan, but it wasn’t enough for a victory.
Pandya was named ‘Man of the Match’ for his excellent all-round performance.
