Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah has been fined for violating the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Code of Conduct. The penalty was imposed for a Level 1 breach during the International League T20 (ILT20). Representing Desert Vipers in the ILT20, Naseem Shah was fined 10 percent of his match fee for a Level 1 offence committed during the final of Season 4 against MI Emirates, played on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The 22-year-old was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to using language, actions, or gestures that provoke or insult a batter after their dismissal.
How did the controversy start? The incident occurred in the 11th over of the ILT20 final on Sunday when MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard defended a delivery from Naseem Shah, and the ball went straight back to the bowler. Naseem picked up the ball and smiled while looking at Pollard, which triggered an aggressive reaction from the MI Emirates skipper. A heated exchange followed between the two players. Both players moved close to each other, with Pollard appearing visibly angry, while Naseem Shah was also seen responding. Umpires and players from Desert Vipers intervened to defuse the situation, though both players appeared unhappy afterward.
