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Afghanistan National Cricket Team all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been reprimanded and handed one demerit point for his behaviour against the on filed upmire during the second ODI match against the Ireland National Cricket Team.
On Tuesday, August 11, it is learnt that the International Cricket Council (ICC) took action against Azmatullah Omarzai for his gesture against the umpire. Omarzai was visibly not happy with the umpire's decision and protested against it openly in the middle.
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been reprimanded after breaching ICC's Code of Conduct during the second ODI against Ireland.
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 11, 2026
One demerit point has been added to his disciplinary record. pic.twitter.com/Wi6n223KQj
Azmatullah Omarzai handed one demerit point
Omarzai's action was enough to breach the ICC's Code of Conduct. Omarzai was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The rule is to protect umpires' decisions during an international match.
Afghanistan batter was given out in the 41st over of the match but remained at the crease for a notable amount of time to show dissatisfaction with the umpire's decision.
In the second match of the 5-match ODI series was cut short because of the rain. The match was reduced to 47 overs, with the first match of the bilateral series washed out entirely due to rain. In the second match, Afghanistan was the batting-first side with control of the innings. Batting first, they secured a total of 299 in the stipulated over limit against 8 wickets.
Why Azmatullah Omarzai's actions came under ICC's scrutiny?
Azmatullah Omarzai contributed well with a 33-run knock off 24 balls with three fours and a couple of 6s. On the fifth ball of the 41st over, the batter shuffled a bit to play with the bowler's mind. Jai Moondra was then the bowler for Ireland, who delivered the ball wide, out of the batter's reach. Omarzai stretched his arms to get something on his bat. The ball went into the keeper's bat.
The keeper, Lorcan Tucker, appealed heavily to the umpire for a catch behind, and he got his man. Azmatullah Omarzai remained unmoved on the pitch for a while as he totally disagreed with the umpire. He had some words as well with the umpire.
What does a Level 1 breach mean for a national team player?
The total of 299 was enough to win the match. Ireland were reduced to 207 runs, and Afghanistan won the match and took a 1-0 lead in the series by a 92-run win. Media reports claimed that Omarzai admitted his offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Dean Cosker of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Therefore, a formal hearing is not required.
The charge against the all-rounder was brought by on-field umpires Gareth Morrison and Roly Black, along with third umpire Johnny Kennedy and fourth umpire George Brolly. The one demerit point is Omarzai’s first disciplinary point in 24 months. According to the ICC’s rules, Level 1 breach can attract an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
