Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib punished by ICC for Code of Conduct Breach

Afghanistan star Gulbadin Naib has been fined for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Friday (December 13). Naib was penalized for showing dissent towards an umpire’s decision during Afghanistan’s 50-run victory over the hosts Zimbabwe in the second T20I match.

He was found breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct. In addition to the fine, the former Afghanistan captain was also handed a demerit point, marking his first offence within a 24-month period. Naib admitted to his offense and accepted the proposed sanction by the ICC.

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Gulbadin Naib fined for showing dissent in Afghanistan's 2nd T20I win over Zimbabwe

On Saturday, December 14, the ICC confirmed that Gulbadin Naib has been penalized for violating Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to "showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match."

The governing body also announced a fine of 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct and added a demerit point that has been added to Naib’s disciplinary record.

The incident took place during the 11th over of Zimbabwe's innings when Gulbadin Naib showed his frustration after an LBW appeal against Tashinga Musekiwa was denied by the umpire during the second T20I match of the ongoing three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Gulbadin Naib’s mock prayer gesture leads ICC to take action

Showing his frustration to the umpire, the former Afghan skipper mockingly bowed in a prayer gesture and asked for a review, despite the DRS being unavailable for the match. Well, with a commanding win in the second game, Afghanistan levelled the T20I series against Zimbabwe with the decider set to be played on Saturday, December 14, at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.

Notably, Gulbadin remained not out at 28 runs off 21 balls in the second T20I in Harare. After winning the match, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan, who scalped three wickets, hailed Darwish Rasooli (58) for his impressive contribution with the bat against Zimbabwe.

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Rashid Khan said at the post-match presentation: “The area we still struggled a bit was the top order; the way Darwish Rasooli came and played was really impressive. That's a position we have struggled with. Compared to today, in the last game we gave away a lot of runs.”

Rashid Khan hails Darwish Rasooli for his performance at No.4

The star Afghan spinner added, “It's a big ground to one side, and we have to adjust quickly; not many sixes were hit today, and that day as well, it's how you play down the ground and play proper cricketing shots. It's not impossible to score more runs at the end, and it's crucial to adapt to the conditions. Later on it gets easier to score.”

Rashid further said on Rasooli: “We are always searching for someone who bats at number 4; the target is the next World Cup, and the preparations for that start from now. He has done well in the Emerging tournament, and he was delivering the best in that number four position there. The way he was looking in the nets was very impressive, and I was quite happy for him and looking forward to seeing him score runs for Afghanistan.”