ICC sanctions Babar Azam for code violation: ‘Abuse of Cricket equipment’

Babar Azam fined by ICC for smashing stumps with bat. (AP Image)

Star Pakistan batsman Babar Azam was disciplined by the ICC for violating the code of conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka. Babar was found guilty of violating Level 1 of the code and was penalized 10% of his match fee.

Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an International Match," was allegedly broken by the 31-year-old.

Babar's disciplinary record has also been updated with one demerit point, which represents his first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident happened on Sunday, November 16, in the 21st over of Pakistan's innings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After being dismissed on 34 off 52, the former captain whacked the stumps with his bat to express his annoyance before returning to the dressing room.

There was no need for a formal hearing because Babar acknowledged the offense and agreed to the punishment suggested by Ali Naqvi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees.

“Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points," ICC said in a media release.

A player is banned if they accumulate four or more demerit points in a 24-month period. These points are then converted to suspension points. A player who receives two suspension points will be banned from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, depending on which occurs first.

Conversely, the demerit points are wiped from a player's or player support staff member's disciplinary record after 24 months.

During the second ODI, Babar broke his century drought in international cricket by scoring an undefeated 102 in a successful chase of 289. For the effort, he was named player-of-the-match.