Asia Cup 2022: India, Pakistan fined for maintaining slow over-rate in Group A clash

The ICC’s new rules regarding penalty for slow over rate came into effect from January 16, 2022.

Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam pose with the Asia Cup trophy. | Photo Credit: BCCI

India and Pakistan have been fined 40 per cent of match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the opening Group A match of the Asia Cup.

Jeff Crowe of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam’s sides were ruled to be two overs short of their respective targets after time allowances were taken into consideration.

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

"Both captains pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing."

On-field umpires Masudur Rahman and Ruchira Pilliyaguruge, third umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri and fourth umpire Gazi Sohel levelled the charges.

India had won the high-profile game by five wickets, courtesy of an all-round effort from Hardik Pandya.

IND vs PAK: Pakistan penalised for slow over rate during Asia Cup match against India, allowed four fielders outside 30-yard circle

Pakistan had to keep an extra fielder inside the circle towards the end of India's run chase due to the slow over rate.

Naseem Shah had to begin the 18th over with an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle and only four manning the boundaries, as opposed to five that are allowed normally after the PowerPlay.

India needed 32 runs to win from 18 balls at that point, and Ravindra Jadeja capitalised on Pakistan’s field restriction by hammering a four between cover and mid-off and then pumping a six over the bowler’s head in what was an 11-run over.

With 21 runs needed off 12 balls, Hardik Pandya smashed Haris Rauf for three fours in the 19th over to bring the equation down to seven runs needed off the last over. Six runs needed off the last three balls, and Hardik got into the act again, clearing the long-on boundary with ease as India clinched a thrilling five-wicket win.

According to the rules, the fielding team will be docked one fielder outside the 30-yard circle if it fails to start the final over within the stipulated time. In this case, Pakistan was forced to have one fielder less outside the circle for the last three overs of India’s innings.

The ICC’s new rules regarding penalty for slow over rate came into effect from January 16, 2022.

(Inputs PTI)