13 October, Dubai (CRICKETNMORE): Imran Tahir has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct, while South Africa has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate. Both offences were committed during the fifth ODI against Australia in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Tahir was found to have violated Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.
In accordance with Article 7.3 of the revised Code, which came into effect on 22 September, in addition to the sanction imposed for his breach of Article 2.1.1, two demerit points have been added to Tahir’s disciplinary record.
Pursuant to Article 7.6 of the Code, if Tahir reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, his demerit points will be converted into, at least, two suspension points which will equate to a ban from his next match or matches. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.
During Australia’s run-chase, Tahir displayed a lack of respect for the umpires when he ignored their requests to stop by continuing to verbally engage with opener David Warner. His behaviour was, therefore, deemed as conduct that was contrary to the spirit of the game.
All level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official warning, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Meanwhile, South Africa has been fined after Faf du Plessis’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances* were taken into consideration**.
In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 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, du Plessis has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 10 per cent fines. If South Africa commits another minor over-rate breach in an ODI within 12 months of this offence with du Plessis as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by du Plessis and he will face a suspension.
After the match, both Tahir and du Plessis pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
Both the charges were laid by on-field umpires Shaun George and Joel Wilson, third umpire Nigel Llong and fourth official Adrian Holdstock.