03 Apr, 2025 | 06:26 PM
Pakistan has been fined for a slow over-rate for the third time in their last four completed ODIs, following their latest breach in the second ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton. The team was found one over short in their bowling innings, and captain Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence. As a result, the players were fined 5% of their match fees.
Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the fine under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which governs over-rate offences. According to the code, players are fined 5% of their match fees for each over the team fails to bowl within the designated time. The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, with third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Chris Brown involved in the decision-making process.
This marks the second consecutive game in the ongoing series where Pakistan has been penalized for slow over-rates. In the opening ODI in Napier, Pakistan was found two overs short. In Hamilton, they were docked for being one over short. Both matches ended in defeats for Pakistan, who lost by 73 runs in Napier and 84 runs in Hamilton, thereby conceding the series with a match to spare.
In Hamilton, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 292, with wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay finishing unbeaten on 99. Pakistan’s chase faltered as they collapsed to 72 for 7, managing to reach 208 thanks to fifties from Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah. Fast bowler Ben Sears also delivered a standout performance, claiming 5 for 59, his best-ever figures in ODIs.
This is not the first instance of Pakistan facing over-rate penalties in matches against New Zealand. They were also fined for a slow over-rate during the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was also against the Kiwis. Thus, this is the third successive match in which Pakistan has been penalized for slow over-rates against New Zealand, and the third in four completed ODIs overall.
With the series now decided, Pakistan will look to address their over-rate issues in the final ODI to avoid further penalties.
