Pakistan fined for slow over rate

Pakistan has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia during the second Test that ended in Melbourne after Australia pulled off a miraculous win on the final day.  Ranjan Madugalle of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Misbah-ul-Haq’s side was ruled to be two overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Misbah has been fined 40 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 20 per cent fines. Misbah pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Ian Gould and Sundaram Ravi, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Sam Nogajski.

Australia secured a highly impressive victory by an innings and 18 runs on the final day of the rain-affected. Pakistan terribly failed to withstand Australian bowler’s fiery quest for a victory and submitted for just 163 in the second innings failing to overhaul the 191 runs lead posted by Australia.

The hosts had 68 overs to secure an unlikely victory given the amount of time lost to bad weather. But, Pakistan were reduced to 91-5 at tea and it took Australia 53.2 overs to wrap up a win. Mitchell Starc, the left-arm fast bowler, was the star of the day with figures of 4/36.