Shahzad Khurram and Mohammad Abbas Penalised for ICC Code of Conduct Breaches
Pakistan players Shahzad Khurram and Mohammad Abbas have been penalised for breaching the Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct during the first match of the World Test Championship (WTC) series against the West Indies.
Shahzad Khurram was fined 15 per cent of his match fee, while Mohammad Abbas was handed an official reprimand. Both players were found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This specific article relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his dismissal during an international match."
As a result of the infractions, one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of both players. Neither player had any previous offences on their record within the preceding 24-month period.
Details of the Incidents
The disciplinary action against Shahzad Khurram arose from an incident during the 17th over of the West Indies’ second innings. Khurram was found to have celebrated aggressively in close proximity to the dismissed batter, Shai Hope, an action deemed capable of provoking an aggressive reaction.
Both Khurram and Abbas admitted to their respective offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Because the players accepted the proposed sanctions, there was no need for formal hearings.
The charges against the Pakistan players were levelled by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough, alongside third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal.
Understanding Level 1 Penalties
Under the ICC regulations, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee. Additionally, one or two demerit points can be added to the player's disciplinary record.
The disciplinary rulings came alongside a tough sporting result for the Pakistan team. The West Indies secured a 90-run victory in the first Test match, a result set up by a five-wicket haul from bowler Jayden Seales. With this win, the West Indies retained their eighth position in the WTC 2025-27 points table.
The second Test of the series between Pakistan and the West Indies is scheduled to be played from August 2 to August 7 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.
