
Afghanistan’s unexpected triumph over England in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup was overshadowed by an incident involving opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has been reprimanded for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the match.
Gurbaz was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically concerning the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.” The incident unfolded in the 19th over of Afghanistan’s innings, when Gurbaz, frustrated after being run out for 80, slammed his bat against the boundary rope and a chair while exiting the field.
Acknowledging his offense, Gurbaz accepted the penalty recommended by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Consequently, one demerit point was added to Gurbaz’s disciplinary record, marking his first offense within a 24-month period.
It is important to note that when a player accumulates four or more demerit points within a 24-month span, these points are converted into suspension points, potentially leading to a player’s suspension from matches.
Level 1 breaches entail a range of penalties, from an official reprimand to a maximum fine of 50 percent of the player’s match fee, along with the addition of one or two demerit points to the player’s record.