Two Afghanistan players found guilty of breaching code of conduct
Karim Sadiq receives one-match ban; official reprimand for Mohammad Shehzad
Two Afghanistan players have been found guilty of separate offences contrary to the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in South Africa.
Bowler Karim Sadiq has been suspended for one match for breaching level 2.4 of the code, which relates to inappropriate and intentional physical contact between players in the course of play.
The offence took place after Karim had bowled the third ball of the 38th over in his side’s defeat to the Netherlands at Vaal University on 6 April. The ball was hit back to the bowler and in attempting to field the ball, Karim dived into the non-striker. At that point, the batsmen decided to attempt a run and while on the ground, Karim made an effort to trip the non-striker with his hand.
The incident was reported by on-field umpires Jeff Luck and Buddhi Pradhan as well as third umpire Ian Ramage. At a hearing convened by Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, evidence was heard from the umpires and video footage of the incident was viewed before the guilty verdict was handed down.
“Cricket is a non-contact sport,” said Mr Mahanama after imposing the one-match ban.
“Players must understand that intentional physical contact of this kind is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Meanwhile, following a separate incident, Mohammad Shehzad received an official reprimand after pleading guilty to an offence contrary to Level 1.3, which relates to showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.
A hearing was told that after being given out lbw in the same match, Shehzad gestured with his bat to indicate he had hit the ball as he turned to leave the crease.
“Players must always accept the umpire’s decision, even if they feel a mistake has been made,” said Mr Mahanama.
“It is one of the fundamental pillars of the sport of cricket and must be upheld if the strong spirit of the game is to endure. The issue is not whether a mistake had been made but rather the player’s reaction to the decision.”
In addition to the official reprimand, Shehzad also received a warning about his future behaviour. The player accepted the decision and apologised to the umpires.
In cases of Level 2 offences, the player has the right to lodge an appeal. This must be done so in writing within 24 hours of receiving the verdict. In cases of Level 1 offences there is no right of appeal and the match referee’s verdict is final and binding.
Present at the hearings were: the match referee, the players in question, the umpires, Afghanistan team captain Norooz Mangal and team manager Sayed Shah Aminzai.
To view the full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials go to http://www.icc-cricket.com./rules_and_regulations.php.
Background information to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2009:
In total there are eight venues being used for 54 matches played over 19 days with 12 teams fighting it out for the four qualification places on offer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, formerly known as the ICC Trophy, incorporates Divisions 1 and 2 of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League and is the gateway for the top Associate and Affiliate teams into the premier one-day tournament in the world.
Among the teams are Afghanistan and Uganda, which both qualified from January’s Pepsi World Cricket League Division 3 event in Buenos Aires. The WCL was created to provide a clear pathway for teams outside the top 10 towards improvement and ultimately, the ICC Cricket World Cup. This global event gives ICC Associate and Affiliate Members the opportunity to play similarly ranked sides in meaningful competition regardless of where they are located in the world.
The 12 teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier are split into two groups of six teams. Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Oman, Namibia and Uganda make up Group A while Kenya, Netherlands, Bermuda, UAE, Denmark and Afghanistan form Group B.
Each side plays the other teams in its group once with the top four from the groups progressing to the Super Eight stage. The teams each play four Super Eight matches against the sides they did not meet in the group stage. All points won in the groups will be carried over to the Super Eight stage apart from those gained against the bottom two from each group.
The top two teams in the Super Eight stage will contest the final to be played at Centurion on 19 April. The third and fourth-placed sides will play-off at Potchefstroom, the fifth and sixth-placed sides play off at Willowmoore Park while the seventh and eighth-placed teams play off at Stan Friedman Oval, Krugersdorp.
The top four sides at the event qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The top six teams secure ODI status until 2013, gain a place at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier later this year and also qualify automatically for the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10.
The bottom two teams from the CWCQ, which incorporates Divisions 1 and 2 of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League, will be relegated to Division 3.
