Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has been fined for a breach of ICC Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The ICC issued a Level 1 sanction, imposing a fine of 10 percent of Babar’s match fee and adding one demerit point to his disciplinary record.
The incident occurred when Babar, after being dismissed for 34 runs off 52 balls by Sri Lankan spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, hit the stumps with his bat in frustration before leaving the crease.
This action was considered a violation of Article 2.2 of the ICC Code, which relates to the misuse of cricket equipment or the playing area during an international match.
The on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi, confirmed the breach. Babar accepted the proposed penalty, administered by Ali Naqvi from the ICC’s International Panel of Match Referees, which meant no formal hearing was required.
Level 1 breaches are considered minor offenses but still carry penalties ranging from an official warning to fines of up to 50 percent of the match fee, along with one or two demerit points. This is Babar’s first ICC disciplinary issue in the past two years.
Despite this setback, Babar has been in strong form recently. In the second ODI of the series, he ended a two-year century drought with an unbeaten hundred, helping Pakistan secure a strong lead in the three-match series.
The ICC’s action serves as a reminder to all players about maintaining sportsmanship and following the code of conduct on the field, regardless of match pressures or personal frustrations.
Babar’s focus now returns to leading Pakistan in the remainder of the series and maintaining high standards both on and off the field.
