Shannon Gabriel reprimanded for incident with Sarfaraz Ahmed

West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been reprimanded 50% of his match fees for breaching the code of conduct during the 4th day of the opening Test at Sabina Park. The incident involved Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed who is incidentally Pakistan’s limited-overs captain as well.

The incident happened at the end of the 103rd over when Gabriel allegedly made a deliberate contact with Sarfaraz at the non-striker’s end while collecting his cap from the onfield umpire Richard Illingworth. The umpire was immediately seen having a word with the bowler and later reported the incident to the match referee along with other umpires.

According to the laws, Gabriel breached Article 2.2.7 of ICC’s Code of Conduct relating to players and Player Support Personnel which states, “Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other Person (including a spectator) in the course of play during an International Match”.

Gabriel accepted the offence so no official hearing was required. Gabriel finished with impressive figures of 3/92 as Pakistan managed to score 407 in their 1st innings in reply to the host’s 287. It was a collective performance by the lower middle order which propelled West Indies to a score 286 in their 1st innings after tottering at 71/5 at one stage.

It was half-centuries from Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich and captain Jason Holder which enabled the hosts to reach a competitive first innings total. Left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers and finished with exceptional figures of 6/44 in 26 overs. It was a sensational piece of fast bowling by Amir which derailed the host’s progress.

The visitors replied strongly with a score of 407 but not a single batsmen went on to reach the elusive century mark. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq remained unbeaten just a solitary run short of his hundred while Babar Azam, Younis Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed all scored half-centuries.