Lahore: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been fined ten percent of his match fee after showing frustration on the field. The incident occurred when Babar, after being dismissed, struck his bat against the stumps. Match officials deemed the act a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, resulting in the penalty.
While the fine was accepted without contest, the decision has triggered wider debate among cricket followers and analysts. Sports journalist Saleem Khaliq questioned why the ICC has acted swiftly against Babar but has yet to take similar measures against players accused of verbal abuse. He pointed to recent incidents where international stars, including India’s Jasprit Bumrah and others, allegedly used derogatory language against South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma, calling him “short” and directing insults at him.
Khaliq argued that disciplinary standards must be applied equally, regardless of the player or team involved. He noted that ignoring verbal misconduct while penalizing physical expressions of frustration raises questions about consistency in the ICC’s enforcement of rules.
The debate highlights ongoing concerns about player behavior and the governing body’s responsibility to ensure fairness. Fans and commentators continue to press the ICC for clarity on how it intends to handle cases of verbal abuse alongside on‑field actions.