PAK vs WI: Babar Azam's illegal fielding action costs five penalty runs to his team

The Men in Green completely dominated the visitors, West Indies, during the second ODI match played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan won the contest by 120 runs and now holds an unassailable lead of 2-0 in a three-match ODI series. For the home team, skipper Babar Azam was yet again excellent with the bat as he scored another fifty and now has stroked sixth consecutive half-centuries in ODIs.

However, Babar’s ‘Illegal actions’ during the second innings of the match cost his team a five-run penalty. During the 29th over of the visitor’s innings, the Pakistani skipper was seen to have picked up one of the wicket-keeping gloves of Mohammad Rizwan for some reason and used it to collect a throw. Babar’s actions on the field were deemed illegal by the match officials, and five extra runs were added to the West Indies’ total.

Babar Azam broke Law 28.1: Protective equipment

According to clause 28.1 in the laws of cricket, no other fielder apart from the wicketkeeper shall be allowed to wear gloves or external leg guards. The protective gears can only be worn by the fielders after taking approval from the on-field umpires, else not.

A rare thing happened tonight. West Indies were awarded 5 penalty runs due to illegal fielding by Pakistan.

Laws of cricket:

28.1 – No fielder other than the wicket-keeper shall be permitted to wear gloves or external leg guards. #PakvWI pic.twitter.com/WPWf1QeZcP

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 10, 2022

Talking about the match, Pakistan after some hefty contributions from skipper Babar and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq managed to score 275 runs in their allotted 50 overs. West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein grabbed a total of three wickets for his side.

In reply, West Indies batter could not stand some disciplined bowling performance from the Men in Green and managed to score just 155 runs in 32.2 overs. Opening batter Kyle Mayers (33 runs), Shamarh Brooks (42 runs), and Skipper Nicholas Pooran (25 runs) were the chief contributors with the bat. Spinner Mohammad Nawaz was adjudged player of the match after scalping four crucial wickets for his side. The Men in Green Pakistan will now take on West Indies in the third ODI to be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium on June 12 (Sunday).