Afridi given maximum penalty for ball tampering

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who was slapped two Twenty20 International ban for ball tampering in the final ODI against Australia here, was booked under article 2.2.9 of ICC Code of Conduct and the match referee imposed him the maximum penalty for his offence.

Afridi, who led the visiting side in place of regular skipper Mohammad Yousuf, will miss Pakistan’s next two Twenty20 Internationals against the same opponents on February 5 in Melbourne and against England in Dubai on February 19.

“Shahid was charged with an article 2.2.9 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to ‘changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket’. He has received two suspension points after breaching the Code.

Two suspension points in the code means a ban of a Test, two ODIs or two T20Is,” ICC said in a statement.

The charge was laid by on—field umpires Asoka de Silva of ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Paul Reiffel of International Panel, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Mick Martell.

The incident that led to the charge being laid took place when the Pakistan captain was observed in the act of changing the condition of the ball during Australia’s innings without the permission of the on—field umpires.

ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle said, “I imposed maximum penalty under the code and reminded Shahid of his responsibilities as a national captain which is to ensure the match is played according to laws of the game and in the spirit it is intended to be played. Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions.”