Azhar Ali fined full match-fee for slow over-rate in Hamilton Test

Dubai [UAE], Nov. 29 (ANI): Azhar Ali, Pakistan stand-in skipper for the Hamilton Test, has been fined his 100 percent of his match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand during the second Test which ended on Tuesday. Pakistan lost its last nine wickets in the last session to lose in Hamilton by 138 runs and also lost the two-match series 2-0. In a statement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said match referee Richie Richardson imposed the fine after Azhar Ali's side was ruled to be five overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration. "In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount," the ICC statement said. "As such, Azhar has been fined 100 percent of his match fee, while his players have received 50 percent fines. Azhar pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing," it added. Earlier, Azhar replaced regular Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq for the second Test after the ICC suspended the latter for one Test match for maintaining a slow over-rate during Pakistan's loss in Christchurch. Misbah, in any case, was likely to miss the Hamilton Test after returning home for personal reasons. (ANI)