In a recent showdown between Zimbabwe and Ireland at Harare Sports Club during the first T20I, a Level 1 breach of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct has resulted in fines for three players and a suspension for one.
The altercation involved Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza and Ireland players Curtis Campher and Josh Little, leading to fines for all three. Raza faced a charge for aggressively approaching Campher and Little, while the Ireland pacer was charged with physically engaging with the Zimbabwean. Reportedly, Campher sidestepped the on-field umpires and charged at Raza.
Campher and Little admitted to the offense and accepted the proposed sanctions by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.
However, Raza acknowledged the offense but rejected the penalty suggested by Pycroft. The official confirmation of the sanction was made in a hearing on December 8.
The players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.”
In a setback for Zimbabwe, Raza now faces suspension for the final two games of the ongoing three-match series. Raza received a penalty of a 50 percent deduction from his match fee and two demerit points.
The suspension stems from accumulating a total of four demerit points within a 24-month timeframe due to his recent violation of the ICC Code of Conduct.
It is worth noting that Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points, as per the ICC regulations.
