Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, has been fined five percent of their match fee for a slow over-rate during their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The defending champions suffered a 60-run defeat on Wednesday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday that Pakistan was one over short of the required rate, even after accounting for time allowances.
ICC Officials and Match Referee Imposed the Fine
On-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, along with third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Alex Wharf, reported the over-rate offence. Match referee Andy Pycroft then imposed the sanction, leading to a five percent deduction from each player’s match fee.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan accepted the penalty, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
ICC Code of Conduct and Penalty Details
The fine was imposed under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which states that players lose five percent of their match earnings per over their team falls short of the target within the allocated time.
For more details, refer to the ICC Code of Conduct.
Tough Start for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
This penalty adds to a disappointing start for Pakistan, who are hosting an ICC event for the first time since the 1996 World Cup. Batting first, New Zealand set a challenging total, and despite Pakistan’s efforts, they fell short in the chase.
Now, Pakistan faces a must-win match against arch-rivals India in Group A.
Next Match: High-Stakes Clash Against India
Pakistan’s next game is against India on Sunday in Dubai. With pressure mounting, Rizwan’s squad must improve their performance to keep their title defense alive.