Pakistan’s victory in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka came at a small cost. The ICC has fined the side 20 per cent of its match fee after Shaheen Afridi’s bowlers fell four overs short of the required rate in Tuesday’s game at Rawalpindi.
Match referee Ali Naqvi confirmed the breach on Wednesday. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, teams lose five per cent of their fee for every over not completed in time. Afridi accepted the punishment immediately, so no hearing was needed.
The over-rate slipped despite Pakistan controlling much of Sri Lanka’s chase. With 46 overs gone the home side were already behind schedule, forcing an extra fielder into the circle for the closing stages. Even so, Wanindu Hasaranga’s brisk half-century dragged the target into the final over before Pakistan squeezed home by six runs.
Umpires Alex Wharf and Asif Yaqoob laid the charge, with Sharfuddoula on television duty and Rashid Riaz as fourth official.
Off the field, the series timetable has shifted. A security incident in Islamabad on Wednesday prompted several Sri Lanka players to consider flying home. A late-night meeting involving PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi, government officials and the tourists’ squad ended with assurances and a stern reminder from Sri Lanka Cricket that any early departures could trigger disciplinary action. As a result, the second and third ODIs have each been moved back 24 hours, and the tri-nation T20I event with Zimbabwe will also start a day later.
For Pakistan, the fine is more an administrative note than a crisis, yet it highlights a persistent issue. Afridi’s men have now copped three over-rate penalties in as many months. With World Cup qualification points and player suspensions at stake for repeated offences, Pakistan’s think-tank will want smoother progress when the series resumes.
