After the suicide bomb blast in Islamabad, Sri Lankan players wanted to return home. However, the PCB provided them with high-level security and postponed the remaining two matches of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI series for a day. While the upcoming tri-series was completely shifted to Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, news is coming that the ICC has severely punished the Pakistan team by imposing a heavy fine for a major mistake in the first ODI. Pakistan team captain Shahid Afridi has admitted his mistake.
ICC imposed fine
The Pakistan cricket team’s over-rate during fielding in the first ODI against Sri Lanka was too slow. The ICC has fined them 20 percent of their match fees for this reason. The ICC confirmed the punishment in a statement regarding the match. Match referee Ali Naqvi, while imposing the fine on the entire Pakistan team, revealed that their over-rate was four overs behind the target time.
According to the ICC Code of Conduct, players are fined 5 percent for each slow over. Pakistan fell four overs short of the target time, and as a result, they were fined 20 percent. It should be noted that during the match, Pakistan had to deploy an extra fielder in the circle after the 46th over. Captain Shaheen Afridi admitted his mistake to the match referee. Therefore, there is no scope for a hearing in this matter.
Uncertainty over Pakistan-Sri Lanka ODI series
The second ODI of the Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka series was scheduled for November 13th, but has now been rescheduled. Following the Islamabad bombings, some Sri Lankan players wanted to return home. PCB Chairman and Pakistan Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi spoke with the Sri Lankan players and convinced them to return. All players have been provided with high-level security.
What was the incident
let us remind you that the second match of the series was scheduled to be held today, November 13th, but a bomb blast occurred in Islamabad. It is reported that Rawalpindi is very close to Islamabad. Therefore, the match, which was scheduled for November 13th, has been postponed and will now be played on November 14th. However, the venue of the match has not been changed. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan players are scared by the bomb blast. Some Sri Lankan players had expressed a desire to leave the series midway and return home, but the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has refused this. This means that all players will remain with the team for now. However, the threat to the Sri Lankan team has not yet subsided. It remains to be seen how the series progresses.