Pakistan and Bangladesh Penalised

Pakistan and Bangladesh have both been penalised and docked World Test Championship (WTC) points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first Test at Rawalpindi, which Bangladesh won by 10 wickets.

Pakistan fell short by six overs and were consequently penalised six WTC points and fined 30 percent of their match fee. Bangladesh, on the other hand, were three overs behind and were docked three WTC points along with a 15 percent fine on their match fee. This marks Bangladesh's first points deduction in the current WTC cycle, while Pakistan had already lost two points during the Perth Test in 2023.

According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side falls short of bowling within the allotted time. Additionally, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, teams are penalised one point for each over they fall short. Both captains, Shan Masood and Najmul Hossain Shanto, admitted to the offences and accepted the sanctions imposed by match referee Ranjan Magugalle.

In a separate incident, veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was fined 10 percent of his match fee and received a demerit point for a Level 1 breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This rule pertains to "throwing a ball (or any other cricket equipment) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, or any other person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match."

The incident occurred during the 33rd over of Pakistan's second innings when Shakib threw the ball inappropriately towards batter Mohammad Rizwan, who was not ready for the next delivery. Shakib, 37, accepted the penalty, which marks his first offence in the current 24-month period during which demerit points are tracked.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Adrian Holdstock, along with third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz.