ICC Penalises Pakistan duo Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad

Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad have been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for separate breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Both players were found guilty of Level 1 offences under Article 2.5, which prohibits players from using words, gestures or actions that could incite or provoke an aggressive response from a batter following a dismissal. Khurram Shahzad received a 15 per cent fine on his match fee and was handed one demerit point after celebrating too close to West Indies batter Shai Hope following his dismissal in the 17th over of the hosts' second innings. Meanwhile, Mohammad Abbas was issued an official reprimand along with one demerit point for his animated celebration after dismissing Jomel Warrican, the final wicket of the West Indies innings. The ICC ruled that both celebrations crossed the acceptable standard of player conduct and had the potential to provoke the dismissed batters. Both Abbas and Khurram accepted responsibility for their actions and agreed to the sanctions proposed by ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Jeff Crowe. As a result, the disciplinary process was concluded without the need for formal hearings. The charges were brought by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal. The ICC also confirmed that this was the first disciplinary offence for both players in the past 24 months. The West Indies won by 90 runs against Pakistan in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The historic match, the first-ever Test hosted at the venue, concluded on day four after a dominant display from the West Indies pace battery. The defeat marks Pakistan's eighth consecutive away Test loss. Pakistan will now look to level the series when the second and final Test begins at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain on August 2.