Babar fined for hitting stumps with bat after being dismissed in 3rd ODI vs SL

Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam has been docked 10 per cent of his match fee after the ICC found him guilty of a Level 1 breach of its Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The ICC said the former Pakistan captain violated Article 2.2 of its code, which deals with “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.”

According to match officials, the incident took place in the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings. Moments after being dismissed, Babar struck the stumps with his bat before walking off the field. The action earned him a single demerit point — his first offence in the past two years.

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Babar accepted responsibility for his behaviour and agreed to the sanction proposed by match referee Ali Naqvi of the Emirates ICC International Panel. His admission meant no formal hearing was required.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, with support from third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.

Under ICC regulations, Level 1 offences carry a minimum punishment of an official reprimand and can extend up to a 50 percent fine on a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.