ICC penalises Shakib Al Hasan for Throwing Ball at Mohammad Rizwan During Rawalpindi Test; Pakistan-Bangladesh Lose WTC Points

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been fined 10% of his match fee and handed a demerit point for an incident during the recent Test match against Pakistan.

The penalty was imposed after Shakib breached Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by throwing the ball at Pakistani batter Mohammad Rizwan during the 33rd over of Pakistan's second innings. Rizwan had backed away, and Shakib's throw was deemed inappropriate, prompting the sanction.

ICC penalises Shakib Al Hasan for Throwing Ball at Mohammad Rizwan During Rawalpindi Test Pakistan-Bangladesh Lose WTC Points — Image: ICC

This disciplinary action falls under Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which prohibits "throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match."

In addition to Shakib's individual penalty, both Pakistan and Bangladesh were fined for maintaining slow over rates during the match. Pakistan were fined 30% of their match fees, while Bangladesh received a 15% deduction. Captains Shan Masood of Pakistan and Najmul Hossain Shanto of Bangladesh both pleaded guilty to the offences, which eliminated the need for formal hearings.

The repercussions of these penalties have also affected the World Test Championship standings. Pakistan remains in the eighth position, while Bangladesh has dropped to seventh, falling behind South Africa.

The second Test between the two sides is set to commence in Rawalpindi on Friday, with both teams looking to recover from the sanctions and improve their standings in the World Test Championship.

Shakib's actions and subsequent penalty have sparked discussions among fans and analysts, with some expressing concern over the intensity of on-field behaviours. The all-rounder, known for his competitive spirit, will need to be mindful of the ICC regulations as the series progresses.