SA vs PAK 2024-25: Pakistan penalised for slow over rate in Cape Town Test

South Africa vs Pakistan.
(Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan have been fined 25 per cent of their match fee and penalised five ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town. Richie Richardson of the CC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Pakistan were ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

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.

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, five World Test Championship points have been deducted from Pakistan’s points total.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Nitin Menon, third umpire Alex Wharf and fourth umpire Stephen Harris levelled the charge.

Pakistan set to host West Indies for home Tests

The Shan Masood-led side, meanwhile, will next be hosting the West Indies for a couple of games at home, starting January 16. The first Test of the series will be played at the National Stadium, Karachi, followed by the second and final encounter at Multan’s Multan Cricket Stadium. The series is a part of the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, but holds less to zero importance, as both the teams have already been knocked out of the race for the final.

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