Pakistan Fined for Slow Over Rate vs New Zealand

The Pakistan cricket team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Match referee David Boon imposed the sanction after Pakistan was ruled to be one over short of the target when time allowances were taken into consideration. As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined 20% of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. Accordingly, the entire Pakistan team has been fined 20% of their match fees. Captain Babar Azam accepted the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

 The ICC emphasized that maintaining the required over rate is essential to ensuring the smooth flow of the game and respecting broadcasting schedules and audience expectations. This is not the first time teams have been penalized under the slow over-rate rule, highlighting the ICC’s continued focus on upholding discipline and pace in international matches. Pakistan, who lost the match by a narrow margin, will now look to bounce back in the remaining fixtures of the series with improved performance both in terms of play and game management. The team management has assured us that necessary steps will be taken to avoid future breaches. New Zealand leads the series and will aim to maintain its momentum, while Pakistan seeks to level the series with sharper execution and discipline on the field.