Slow over-rate: Misbah suspended for one Test

CHRISTCHRUCH: Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been suspended for one match and fined 40% of his match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

This was Misbah’s second such offence in the last 12 months, the first coming at The Oval Test against England in August, and necessitated the penalty in accordance with the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct.

“The suspension means Misbah will miss the second Test against New Zealand which starts in Hamilton on Friday, 25 November,” said an ICC statement on Monday (November 21).

The suspension, however, doesn’t make much of a difference to Misbah as he left for home at the end of the Christchurch Test, which Pakistan lost by eight wickets, following the death of his father-in-law, and was expected to miss the Hamilton Test anyway.

“The code provides for a suspension to be carried forward to a subsequent match if the match where the suspension applies is cancelled, postponed or abandoned, which is not the case here. Secondly, Misbah can return to New Zealand to join the side in time for the Hamilton Test.”

Azhar Ali, the 50-over captain, has been named to lead Pakistan in Misbah’s absence during the second Test.

The other Pakistan players, meanwhile, have been fined 20% of their match fees for the same offence.