In a fresh blow to Mohammad Rizwan’s squad, the ICC has penalized the Pakistan team for maintaining a slow over-rate during their third One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand. The team has been hit with a penalty for the third consecutive match due to the slow over rate. This time, Mohammad Rizwan’s men must forfeit five percent of their match fee following the third ODI against New Zealand.
The contest in question was staged at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, and it turned out to be a disappointing outing for Pakistan. Not only did they suffer a 43-run defeat, completing a 0-3 series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand, but they also landed in hot water with the ICC for falling short of the required over rate.
Pakistan was found guilty of breaching Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offenses in limited-overs cricket. As per the playing conditions, players are fined five percent of their match fee for each over their side falls short within the stipulated time. With Pakistan lagging by one over match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanction following a report from on-field umpires Chris Brown and Paul Reiffel supported by third umpire Michael Gough and fourth official Wayne Knights.
As skipper, Mohammad Rizwan accepted the charge of slow over-rate offence there was no need for a formal hearing. The three-match ODI series against New Zealand ended as a disappointing experience for Rizwan’s team. The T20I series loss by 4-1 created high expectations for better performance in the 50-over format. The series started poorly with a 73-run loss in the opener before Pakistan suffered an 84-run defeat in the second ODI.
