Saud, Kamran, Shaheen fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

DUBAI: Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam have been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following their tri-nation series match against South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday.

The ICC imposed fines on the trio for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the game.

Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25% of his match fee for violating Article 2.12 of the Code, which prohibits “inappropriate physical contact with a player, support personnel, umpire, match referee, or any other individual during an international match.” The incident occurred in the 28th over of South Africa’s innings when Shaheen deliberately blocked batter Matthew Breetzke as he attempted a run, resulting in physical contact and a heated exchange.

In a separate incident, Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10% of their match fees for celebrating too aggressively near batter Temba Bavuma following his run-out in the 29th over. They were found guilty of violating Article 2.5, which addresses “language, actions, or gestures that insult or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a dismissed batter.”

Additionally, all three players received one demerit point on their disciplinary records. As none had prior offenses in the past 24 months, no formal hearings were required, and the players accepted the sanctions.

Meanwhile, Pakistan secured a spot in the tri-nation series final after successfully chasing a record 352-run target against South Africa, winning by six wickets. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha starred in the chase, adding a record 260-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Agha top-scored with 134 off 103 balls (16 fours, 2 sixes), while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122 off 128 deliveries (9 fours, 3 sixes).

Pakistan will now face New Zealand in the final on February 14 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi.