ICC sanctions Pakistan pace pair after fiery celebrations in Test defeat to West Indies

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad for separate incidents involving aggressive celebrations during the opening Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.

Although the visitors endured defeat in the series opener, both bowlers came under scrutiny for their conduct after dismissing West Indies batters. The ICC ruled that their celebrations crossed the boundaries of acceptable behavior, resulting in disciplinary action under the governing body's Code of Conduct.

Shahzad fined after Hope dismissal

Khurram Shahzad received the more severe punishment after celebrating in close proximity to West Indies batter Shai Hope following his dismissal during the 17th over of the hosts' second innings.

The ICC determined that Shahzad's actions were capable of provoking an aggressive response from the dismissed batter, a violation of Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which prohibits "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal."

As a result, Shahzad was fined 15 percent of his match fee and assessed one demerit point.

Abbas officially reprimanded

Mohammad Abbas was also found to have breached the same provision after celebrating animatedly near West Indies tailender Jomel Warrican following the final wicket of the innings.

While Abbas escaped a financial penalty, he received an official reprimand and was likewise handed one demerit point.

Both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, eliminating the need for formal disciplinary hearings.

First offences for both bowlers

The ICC confirmed that the incidents represented the first Code of Conduct offences for both Abbas and Shahzad within the past 24 months.

Under ICC regulations, players who accumulate four or more demerit points during a 24-month period have those points converted into suspension points, which can trigger match bans depending on the total accumulated.

Level 1 offences under the ICC Code of Conduct carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50 percent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.

While the punishments handed to Abbas and Shahzad were relatively minor, the sanctions serve as a reminder of the ICC's continued emphasis on maintaining sportsmanship and preventing on-field celebrations from escalating into confrontations.