Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan fined for slow over-rate against New Zealand

The first week of the Champions Trophy is in full swing. Tournament hosts Pakistan started their campaign with a big loss against New Zealand in the opening encounter on Wednesday.

A day after the match, they were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate. It turns out Pakistan were found one over short of the target and though the umpires Richard Kettleborough, Sharfuddoula, Joel Wilson, and Alex Wharf leveled the charge, the match referee Andy Pycroft sanctioned it, leading to a deduction of five percent of their match fee.

“Pakistan were found one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration,” the ICC stated.

This step was taken according to the ICC Code of Conduct for players and Player Support Personnel related to minimum over-rate offences where it is clearly stated that the players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over they do not bowl in the allotted time. Pakistan skipper pleaded guilty to the charges and there was no formal hearing that was required after that.

Injury woes continue for Pakistan

Apart from the offence, Pakistan have had some big players being ruled out of the tournament as well. One of the recent players who has just been ruled out is Fakhar Zaman who suffered a lower back injury against New Zealand and has been replaced by opening batter Imam-ul-Haq.

Speaking of the next few fixtures of Pakistan, they will be facing India on February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium and Bangladesh on February 27 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to finish all their games in Group A.