The United Arab Emirates’ wicketkeeper, Ghulam Shabber, has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Papua New Guinea, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Ghulam was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”
This information was made official in a Press Release by the International Cricket Council on April 5.
Siaka was on his way towards improving PNG’s 148 runs during their third WCLC ODI last week, when Shabber hit the stumps with his gloves instead of the ball and appealed for an out.
That resulted in Siaka’s dismissal.
After winning a match each, the United Arab Emirates and the PNG Barramundis played the ODI decider last Tuesday, when the incident occurred in the 20th over of PNG’s innings.
Shabber appealed successfully for a direct-hit run out of batsman, Lega Siak, but a post-match review of TV replays showed that the ball had not hit the stumps, and Ghulam had broken the wickets with his gloves.
He has admitted to the offence and accepted the penalties he is facing.
The charges were laid by the on-field umpires, but as it is a first time offence, there is no need for a hearing.
In addition, he has been issued one demerit point. A disciplinary rule where, in a space of two years, if a player repeatedly commits an offence, he may be suspended for a certain period.
Unfortunately, Siaka’s dismissal may have as well cost the Barras the win, as he is one of PNG’s leading batsman and in most occasions, placed in the top order.
In the spirit of true sportsmanship, the PNG Barramundis showed they were not bitter losers.
Still, three places ahead of the Emirates on the point’s ladder, the Barras are now hot on the heels of Netherlands, who currently hold the top spot.
