The Pakistan cricket team has been penalized over a slow over-rate in their opening Champions Trophy 2025 game against New Zealand in Karachi.
The defending champions and hosts were found to be one over short of the target in the game; Pakistan lost by 60 runs.
“Pakistan have been fined 5 per cent 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 said in a statement.
According to the ICC, match referees imposed the sanction after Mohammad Rizwan’s men were ruled to be an over short of the target after time allowances were considered.
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“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,” stated ICC.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.
For the unversed, Pakistan began their eight-team tournament 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.
Green Shirts were bowled out on 260 in 47.2 overs after New Zealand’s clinical bowling performance. Khushdil Shah scored the most with his 69 off 49 balls.
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Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke picked up three wickets for New Zealand, while Matt Henry grabbed two.
Tom Latham was adjudged player of the match for his match-winning unbeaten century.
Pakistan will now face arch-rivals India in the much-anticipated 2025 clash, scheduled to be played on Sunday.
Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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