On Verge of World Cup Exit, Pakistan Receive Another Blow as Babar Azam and Co. Sanctioned by ICC

On the verge of being eliminated from the ODI World Cup 2023, Babar Azam-led Pakistan have been sanctioned by ICC for maintaining a slow over rate in their narrow 1-wicket defeat to South Africa on Friday. The Proteas prevailed against the Green Army to secure their fifth win in the World Cup so far, while it was the third loss for the 1992 champions.

During their defeat, Pakistan failed to complete their quota of overs in time, and thus they have been reprimanded by ICC who have handed the Babar Azam-led unit a 20 percent fine for their match fees.

The defeat to South Africa leaves Pakistan in sixth place after their third consecutive defeat in the World Cup and on the verge of bowing out in the group stage itself.

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Pakistan do have a chance of reaching the semifinals mathematically, but their fate is no longer in own hands and another defeat in their next game against Bangladesh will officially eliminate Babar and Co. from the race for semifinals.

Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Babar Azam’s side was ruled to be four overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

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Babar pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Richard Kettleborough levelled the charge.

Having started their World Cup campaign with two wins over Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Babar Azam and Co. have only four points on the board, with little room for any more errors.