Zimbabwe cricket team’s captain, Sikandar Raza, and Ireland cricketers, Curtis Campher and Joshua Little have been penalized for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I match between Zimbabwe and Ireland at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, December 7.
Sikandar Raza has been fined 50 percent of his match fee and has also been given two demerit points which means that he has been suspended for the remaining two matches of the ongoing series. This is because his accumulated demerit points have reached four within 24 months of his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Curtis Campher and Joshua Little received one demerit point and were fined 15 percent of their respective match fees. This was their first breach within 24 months and thus they did not receive any suspension and will take part in the remaining two matches of the series.
All three of the aforementioned players were found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.” Curtis Campher and Joshua Little were quick to admit the offense and they accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, a formal hearing was not required in their case.
Sikandar Raza’s Case Required A Formal Hearing
However, Sikandar Raza admitted to the offense but was hesitant to accept the sanction proposed by Mr Pycroft. The sanction was confirmed in a formal hearing on Friday, December 8 and he received suspension for two matches.
The incident involving the breach was that Sikandar Raza aggressively charged towards Curtis Campher and Joshua Little while pointing his bat towards them and breaking away from the umpire who tried to calm the situation. Raza was penalized 50 percent of his match fee and got two demerit points for his course of action.
Curtis Campher was charged with charging towards Sikandar Raza and side-stepping one of the on-field umpires who tried to stop his progress in order to handle the situation whereas Joshua Little was charged with making physical contact with Sikandar Raza after the latter complained about Little’s blocking his path when he was trying to take a run.
On-field umpires Iknow Chabi and Forster Mutizwa, third umpire Langton Rusere, and fourth official Christopher Phiri levied the charges on the three players. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points which can lead to suspension if you accumulate four within 24 months as happened with Sikandar Raza
