Pakistan penalised for slow over-rate against New Zealand at Champions Trophy

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee slapped a 5% fine of their match fee on Pakistan for maintaining a slow over-rate during their opening match against New Zealand at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday, the international cricket body announced Thursday.  

The sanction was imposed by Andy Pycroft, the ICC Match Referee, after Pakistan was found to be one over short of the required target, even after accounting for time allowances.

Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which addresses minimum over-rate violations, players are fined 5% of their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted the offence and accepted the proposed penalty, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson, and fourth umpire Alex Wharf.

The Pakistan Cricket team, after losing the match against New Zealand on Wednesday, travelled from Karachi to Dubai on Thursday where it will play the next game against arch rivals India on Sunday.