Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the sport’s code of conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The ICC found the 31-year-old guilty of a Level 1 offence related to the misuse of cricket equipment, resulting in a fine of 10% of his match fee.
The violation pertains to Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which addresses “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an international match.” The incident marks Babar’s first recorded offence within the last 24 months, earning him one demerit point on his disciplinary record.
The episode unfolded on Sunday, November 16, during the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings. After being dismissed for 34 off 52 balls, Babar reacted in frustration by striking the stumps with his bat before walking back to the pavilion. The action, captured by cameras, prompted an immediate review under the ICC’s disciplinary framework.
Because Babar admitted to the charge without contest, a formal hearing was not required. He accepted the penalty as proposed by match referee Ali Naqvi, a member of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees.
In an official statement, the ICC highlighted the standard sanctions for Level 1 violations, noting that they “carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.” While Babar received the mildest sanction, the demerit point places him under additional scrutiny for future conduct.
Under ICC rules, a player who accumulates four demerit points within a 24-month span is subject to suspension. These demerit points convert to suspension points, where two suspension points trigger a ban equivalent to either one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is—whichever comes first. Conversely, demerit points expire after two years if the player commits no further violations.
The penalty comes only a day after Babar delivered one of his most impressive innings in recent months. In the second ODI, the former captain ended his century drought in international cricket by scoring an unbeaten 102 during Pakistan’s successful chase of 289. His performance earned him the player-of-the-match award and was widely praised by fans and experts alike.
Despite the disciplinary setback, Babar remains one of Pakistan’s most influential cricketers, known for his composure and consistency. While the incident may be viewed as an emotional reaction to a disappointing dismissal, it also serves as a reminder of the ICC’s strict stance on maintaining discipline and sportsmanship on the field.
With Pakistan continuing its preparation for upcoming international assignments, team management will hope that the star batter channels his competitive spirit into match-winning performances while avoiding further violations that could impact his availability.