Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura has now been suspended for two matches by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over-rate against Pakistan during the first One-Day International (ODI).
During the first ODI in Lahore on Tuesday, Zimbabwe were three overs short when they were bowling to Pakistan in the first innings as the the on-field umpires Aleem Dar, Russell Tiffin, third umpire Ahmed Shahab and reserve umpire Shozab Raza took the time into consideration. The umpires levelled charges against the Zimbabwe captain Chigumbura after the match, which Zimbabwe lost in spite of putting up a valiant effort.
Later Chigumbura pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the suspension, therefore no formal hearing was needed. ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama handed the Zimbabwean skipper Chigumbura with two suspension points and each of the players were charged 40% fine, which includes 10% for the first two overs and 20% for the third over according to the ICC Code of Conduct.
If the over-rate is short by more than two overs in ODIs and Twenty20 (T20) matches, it is considered to be a serious offence under the over-rate clause of ICC Code of Conduct.
Article 2.5.2 that deals with slow over-rate offence, reads: "Where the actual over rate in any Test match or any other International match of at least four days in duration is more than five overs short of the Minimum Over Rate, or, in any One Day International Match, Twenty20 International Match or any other International Match of fifty (50) or twenty (20) overs per side, is more than two overs short of the Minimum Over Rate, such an offence shall be considered a 'Serious Over Rate Offence'."
The ICC media release read: "If Chigumbura is found guilty of a second serious over-rate offence in an ODI over the next 12 months, he will receive a sanction of between two and eight suspension points as per the provisions of the Code."
This will be a huge blow for Zimbabwe as they will be missing the service of their skipper for the final two matches, which is sheduled to be played on Friday and Sunday. Chigumbura had scored a brilliant century during the first ODI, which Pakistan won by 41 runs, thereby leading the series by 1-0. Both the remaining matches will be played in Lahore.
