Pakistan have once again been penalized for maintaining a slow over-rate in the second One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand. This marks the second consecutive match where Pakistan have been fined for failing to complete their overs in the stipulated time.
The Pakistan team, led by Mohammed Rizwan, have been fined 5% of their match fee after being found one over short of the required target in the second ODI held in Hamilton on Wednesday. Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after taking time allowances into consideration.
According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five percent of their match fees for each over their team falls short. As a result, Pakistan players were collectively penalized, and skipper Rizwan accepted the charge without contesting, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was issued by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, with support from third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Chris Brown. This penalty follows a similar infraction in the first ODI, where Pakistan were found to be two overs short in Napier and subsequently fined. Pakistan lost that match by 73 runs after failing to chase down New Zealand’s total.
In the second ODI, Pakistan faced another setback as they were defeated by 84 runs. New Zealand’s Mitchell Hay played a stellar innings, remaining unbeaten on 99* to guide his team to a competitive total of 292/8. Pakistan struggled in their chase, with New Zealand pacer Ben Sears delivering an outstanding bowling performance, securing career-best figures of 5/59 to dismiss Pakistan for just 208.
With Pakistan trailing 2-0 in the ODI series, they will look to improve their over-rate discipline and overall performance in the third match. The final ODI of the series is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, in Mount Maunganui, where Pakistan will aim to bounce back and avoid a clean sweep at the hands of New Zealand.