Pakistan’s cricket team suffered another setback on Wednesday as they were slapped with a fine for a slow over-rate during their second One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Hamilton. The penalty, coupled with an 84-run defeat, has put the visitors on the back foot in the ongoing three-match series.
Match referee Jeff Crowe handed down a 5 per cent deduction of the players’ match fees after determining that Pakistan fell one over short of the required target, even after accounting for standard time allowances. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the sanction on Thursday, noting that Pakistan captain Muhammad Rizwan promptly accepted the charge, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. Rizwan’s guilty plea reflects the team’s acknowledgment of their recurring struggle to maintain pace in the field.
This marks the second consecutive game in which Pakistan has been penalized for sluggish over-rates. In the series opener in Napier last Saturday, the team was docked 10 per cent of their match fees for being two overs behind, a lapse that accompanied a 73-run loss to the hosts. The back-to-back fines highlight an ongoing challenge for Pakistan as they grapple with both on-field performance and disciplinary issues.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have capitalized on Pakistan’s woes, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. With the third and final ODI scheduled for Saturday in Mount Maunganui, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to salvage pride and avoid a whitewash. The team’s management will likely face scrutiny over their inability to address the over-rate problem, which has now cost them financially and competitively. As the series concludes, all eyes will be on whether Pakistan can regroup and deliver a stronger showing in the finale.
