Nepal awarded five penalty runs after UAE's Alishan Sharafu applied saliva on the ball

Nepal won their second ODI against UAE to level the series after losing the series opener against the visitors. However, it was the incident in the second innings, that caught the eye of the cricketing fraternity. UAE's Alishan Sharafu was penalized after the umpires had spotted him applying saliva to the ball, an infringement of the new ICC laws in place since October 1st.

The use of saliva to shine the ball has been an age-old practice in the game of cricket, but it was prohibited during the pandemic to ensure the safety of the players against the deadly Covid-19 virus. However, according to the new laws applicable since October 1st, the use of saliva on the cricket ball is a punishable offense, with the opposition team being awarded five penalty runs for the indiscretion.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in March had completely banned the application of saliva in its amendments to the 2022 code, which came into effect on October 1. 

The Law 41.3 of the MCC states that "the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball. Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball."

"Earlier, when the rule was initially implemented after the pandemic, there was some leniency in the form of two warnings to the fielding team, since everyone was getting adjusted to the new ruling. We used to talk to the captain and give him a heads up simply because it was a new rule. Two years on, teams and players are used to it now," a former ICC panel umpire confirmed to ESPNcricinfo.

Nepal levelled the series in a low-scoring affair

Coming to the match, buoyed by the five penalty runs to their total, Nepal chased down UAE's modest target of 192 runs with 13 deliveries to spare. The visitors started the match on the front foot and were in a commanding position following a brisk start by their openers. But the Nepal bowlers pulled things back nicely after the field restrictions, ending UAE's innings for 191 runs. 

Chasing a below-par target, Nepal were rocked early, losing both their openers inside the first five overs. But the middle order came to the rescue for the hosts, chipping in with crucial stands to guide their side to a well-deserved victory to level the series with one match to follow.