Three Pakistan players fined by for Code of Conduct breaches

Three Pakistani cricketers — Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam — have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching Level 1 of the Code of Conduct during Pakistan's tri-nation series match against South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday.

Shaheen Afridi was fined 25% of his match fee for violating Article 2.12, which addresses "inappropriate physical contact" during an international match. The fine follows a heated exchange between Shaheen and South Africa's batter Matthew Breetzke, after Breetzke nearly collided with Shaheen twice while running between the wickets. The two players engaged in a verbal confrontation before being separated by the on-field umpire and players.

Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10% of their match fees for breaching Article 2.5, which prohibits actions or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter. Both players celebrated too close to Temba Bavuma after he was run out in the 29th over.

Read: Pakistan beat South Africa

All three players accepted the charges and sanctions proposed by ICC Match Referee David Boon, avoiding formal hearings. In addition to the fines, each player received one demerit point on their disciplinary record.

In the match, Pakistan secured a place in the final of the tri-nation series with a six-wicket win over South Africa, chasing down a record-breaking 352 runs. Pakistan will face New Zealand in the final on February 14 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi.