Pakistan’s cricket team has been fined five percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their opening match against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Despite time allowances, they were one over short. Stand-in captain Mohammad Rizwan accepted the penalty, which avoids a formal hearing. This fine follows Pakistan’s disappointing 60-run loss in the match, where they struggled to chase 281 runs. Additionally, opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, with Imam-ul-Haq named as his replacement. Pakistan faces India next, needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
File photo of the Pakistan cricket team.© AFP
Pakistan has been penalized five percent of their match fee for having a slow over-rate during their first match against New Zealand at the tournament opener held at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. The fine was imposed after it was determined that Mohammad Rizwan’s team fell one over short of the required rate, even after accounting for time allowances. “Pakistan has been fined 5 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday,” the ICC stated in a report.
Andy Pycroft, from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, applied the penalty under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. According to ICC rules, teams are fined five percent of their match fee for each over that is not bowled within the designated time.
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s stand-in captain, accepted responsibility for the infraction and agreed to the penalty, which negated the necessity for a formal hearing. The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, along with third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Alex Wharf.
This fine adds to Pakistan’s challenges, as they had already faced a disappointing 60-run loss to New Zealand in the tournament opener. The hosts struggled to chase down 281 runs, falling behind the required run rate after a sluggish beginning.
In addition, Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury sustained while fielding early in the second over of the match. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved Imam-ul-Haq as Zaman’s replacement.
Pakistan will need to regroup and enhance their performance ahead of their significant match against arch-rivals India in Dubai on February 23.
Winning this match is crucial for Pakistan to keep their hopes alive for qualifying from the four-team group, as only two teams will progress to the knockout stage. Bangladesh is the fourth team in the group, where New Zealand has already secured a victory in Karachi.
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