ODI World Cup 2023: Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz faces official reprimand for on-field outburst during England clash

Afghanistan's star player Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been officially reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This incident took place on Sunday during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 league match between Afghanistan and England in Delhi.

Gurbaz's misconduct was in direct violation of Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This article refers to the "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match." Such actions are typically penalized in the world of cricket.

This moment occurred in the 19th over of Afghanistan's innings when, following his dismissal, Gurbaz showcased his frustration by slamming his bat on the boundary rope and even a nearby chair. This not only raised eyebrows but also prompted immediate action from the ICC.

Afghanistan player Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup league match against England in Delhi on Sunday.

Gurbaz was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of…

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 17, 2023

As per the ICC's guidelines, a Level 1 breach carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, though it can escalate to a maximum punishment of 50 per cent of the player's match fee. Furthermore, one or two demerit points can be imposed. In Gurbaz's case, he now carries one demerit point on his disciplinary record, marking his first offence within a 24-month window.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and self-control on the cricket field. With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 underway, players are under intense scrutiny, and any breach of the Code of Conduct is sure to attract attention.

Also Check: ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 Schedule

The consequences of these demerit points are significant. When a player accumulates four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, potentially leading to a ban from participating in international matches. 

Talking about the Afghanistan team, they are all set to face the Kiwis in the 16th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They are full of confidence after their win over the defending champions in the last game and would be hoping to give a tough fight to the runners-up of the last edition as well.