South Africa Fined For Slow Over-Rate In First T20I Against Pakistan

The South African team was fined by the ICC for a slow over-rate offence and was docked 20% of their match fees after being found one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration in the first T20I against Pakistan.

The match which was played in Johannesburg saw South Africa captain Heinrich Klaasen winning the toss and opting to bat first. Opener Aiden Markram made 51 and skipper Klaasen also contributed a fifty with 4 sixes and 2 fours in 28 balls. Pite van Biljon added 34 runs as the Proteas made 188/6 in 20 overs.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz (2/21) and Hasan Ali (2/28) were the best bowlers with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf also picking a wicket each.

South Africa Team Fined 20% Of Their Match Fees For Slow Over Rate Offense

Mohammad Rizwan made an unbeaten 74* in 50 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes, while Fakhar Zaman made 27 in 19 balls. However, the match-winning knock came from Faheem Ashraf who made 30 in just 14 balls, taking Pakistan to the cusp of victory, which was achieved with one ball to go and 4 wickets in hand.

Beuran Hendricks picked 3/32, while Tabraiz Shamsi picked 2/29 for South Africa, who went 0-1 down in the four-match T20I series.

Match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction after South Africa was found to be one over short of the required target after time allowances were taken into consideration, as per an ICC media release.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offenses, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Proteas skipper Klaasen pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, hence no formal hearing happened. On-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Allahudien Palekar, third umpire Bangani Jele and fourth umpire Shaun George had levelled the charge.

The second T20I will be played on April 12 at the same ground in Johannesburg, while the last two T20Is will be played in Centurion on April 14 and 16 respectively.

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