Pakistan’s cricket team has been hit with another fine for a slow over-rate, this time during their second One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Hamilton. The match, which took place on Wednesday, saw the team fall one over short of the target time, despite allowances being made. As a result, match referee Jeff Crowe imposed a penalty of five percent of the team’s match fee.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan accepted the sanction and pleaded guilty to the offence, which negated the need for a formal hearing, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.
This marks the second consecutive match in which Pakistan has been penalized for a slow over-rate. In the first ODI in Napier, the team was found to be two overs short and was fined 10 percent of their match fees following a 73-run defeat.
Trailing 1-0 in the series, Pakistan faced another heavy loss in Hamilton, succumbing by 84 runs. New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner played a pivotal role with a career-best 99, helping his team post a formidable 292/8. The Pakistani batting lineup was dismantled by Ben Sears, who claimed a five-wicket haul (5/59), despite late resistance from Faheem Ashraf (73) and Naseem Shah (51).
The final ODI of the series is scheduled for Saturday in Mount Maunganui. Pakistan will be eager to avoid another fine and prevent a series whitewash as they take on the Kiwis in what promises to be a crucial encounter.