Published 10:33 IST, November 2nd 2019
Shehzad fined 50% match fee for ball-tampering in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Pakistan Test opener Ahmed Shehzad has been fined 50%of match fee after his side Central Punjab was found guilty of ball-tampering during its clash versus Sindh
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Pakistan Test opener Ahmed Shehzad has been fined 50%of match fee after his side Central Punjab was found guilty of ball-tampering during its clash against Sindh in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday that Shehzad, who led Central Punjab against Sindh at Faisalabad, was found guilty of committing a Level 1 offence under Article 2.14, which relates to changing condition of ball (n-identification) during a match. incident occurred during 17th over of Sindh's first innings on Tuesday when during a rmal inspection of ball, on-field umpires Mohammad Asif and Zameer Ahmed found that ball had been unfairly changed by a member of fielding side.
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Shehzad fined 50% match fee
matter was reported by umpires to match referee who held a hearing after match ended in an exciting draw on Thursday. On basis of a preliminary review, it was determined that Shehzad as captain had a case to answer for contravention as incident related to n-identification of player and a tice of Charge was issued to him under PCB Code of Conduct. "Ahmed pleaded t guilty to charge, and, as such, a hearing took place after match on Thursday, in which Ahmed was found guilty," PCB said in a press release.
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Pakistan's Test captain Azhar Ali reprimanded
Some players who took part in match confided that ball-tampering had taken place in match by Central Punjab bowlers quite a few times and matter was brought to tice of umpires by Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Some cricket experts believe that ball-tampering incident coming at a time when Pakistan is touring Australia could give ammunition to Australian media to create pressure on Pakistani players. Shehzad, who missed out on Australian tour for both T20 and Test series, later said in a statement: "We can agree to disagree in this incident as I maintain that condition of ball changed naturally due to rough playing square and t artificially.
"I tried to convince match officials, but y insisted and I accept and respect ir decision. "I would never indulge in such an act r allow any of my team-mates to disrespect game. My priority is to play hard, competitive and result-oriented cricket, and at same time inspire younger generation, which watches us play game."
In an unrelated incident, Pakistan's Test captain Azhar Ali was handed an official reprimand in match for engaging in a Level 1 offence described in Article 2.9. level 1 offence deals with throwing a ball at or near a player, support personnel, umpire, match referee or any or third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during a match. Azhar is due to captain Pakistan in Test series after PCB removed Sarfaraz as captain from all three formats before tour and selectors also dropped him for poor form.
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10:23 IST, November 2nd 2019