PAK vs BAN: Pakistan Fined By ICC In A Huge Blow For Babar Azam & Co.

Pakistan National Cricket Team have been struggling in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and on Saturday, October 28, they were handed a major blow as they were fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Men In Green entered the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as one of the favorites for the semi-finals. Most cricket experts had picked Babar Azam & Co. as semi-finalists with some even predicting them to qualify for the finals.

However, the Men In Green have had an awful campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India and they are on the verge of getting knocked out of the competition.

Pakistan started off the competition by winning against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in a comprehensive manner, but since then things have only gone downhill for them and they have struggled in all the departments.

They faced hammering at the hands of India, Australia, and Afghanistan to complete a hat-trick of defeats. Then, Pakistan also lost their fourth consecutive game. However, it was not a one-sided affair. South Africa defeated the Men In Green by 1 wicket in an absolute nail-biter on October 27 in Chennai.

Pakistan Fined For Slow Over-Rate

On Saturday, October 28, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement, saying that Pakistan have been handed a further blow with the team sanctioned for a slow over-rate during the match against South Africa.

The Babar Azam-led side have been fined 20% of their match fee as they were found to be four overs short during South Africa’s batting innings when the time allowances were taken into consideration.

“On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Richard Illingworth, and fourth umpire Richard Kettleborough leveled the charge after Pakistan’s loss to South Africa. And Pakistan captain Babar Azam accepted the sanction,” the ICC said in an official media release.

The 1992 champions will be next seen in action on Tuesday, October 31, when they take on the Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They need to win their remaining three matches in World Cup 2023 to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.