Pakistan’s troubles in ODI cricket continue as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has penalized the team for a repeated over-rate offence during their second ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton. The penalty comes just a day after Pakistan lost the match and conceded the three-match series 0-2.
What Happened in the Second ODI?
In the second ODI held in Hamilton, Mohammad Rizwan’s side was found to be one over short of the required rate, even after time allowances were taken into account. As a result, the entire playing XI was fined 5% of their match fee under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate violations.
The sanction was imposed by Jeff Crowe, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. The on-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, along with third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Chris Brown, reported the slow over-rate. Rizwan accepted the charge, avoiding a formal hearing.
Second Offence in the Series
This is not the first time Pakistan has been penalized during this series. In the first ODI, which Pakistan lost by 73 runs, the team was two overs short of the target and faced similar disciplinary action. These back-to-back infractions highlight a growing issue within the squad’s match management strategies.
A Tough Tour for Pakistan
Pakistan’s performance on this New Zealand tour has been underwhelming. Before the ODI series, the team suffered a 1-4 defeat in the five-match T20I series. The ODI losses come just a month after Pakistan faced an embarrassing group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, which they hosted at home.
Notably, key players Babar Azam and Rizwan were missing in the earlier T20 series, with Salman Agha taking over as captain. However, their return in the ODI series hasn’t turned the tide.
What’s Next?
The final ODI of the series is scheduled for Saturday at Mount Maunganui, and Pakistan will be hoping to avoid a whitewash. But with morale low and performance under scrutiny, the road ahead looks challenging for the men in green.
Stay tuned for more updates on Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand and ICC disciplinary actions.