Asif Ali, Fareed Ahmad fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Pakistan batter Asif Ali and Afghanistan fast bowler Fareed Ahmad have both been fined 25 per cent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup match in Sharjah on Wednesday.

In the 19th over, Fareed dismissed Asif as he celebrated in an aggressive fashion which incensed the batter who by pushed back Fareed. Paksitan's Hasan Ali and Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai rushed in to separate the pair. Pakistan won the game by one wicket after Naseem Shah scored two sixes off Fazalhaq Farooqi's final over.

Asif was found to have breached Article 2.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match” while Fareed was found to have breached Article 2.1.12, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of the players, both of whom did not have any previous offence in a 24-month period.

Both players admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft, so there was no need for formal hearings. On-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Jayaraman Madangopal, third umpire Gazi Sohel and fourth umpire Raveendra Wimalasari levelled the charges.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualified for the final of Asia Cup 2022 and will face off in the Super Four match on Friday.