Afghanistan wicket-keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 league match against England in Delhi on Sunday.
Gurbaz was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Gurbaz’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred during the 19th over of Afghanistan’s innings, when Gurbaz slammed his bat on the boundary rope and chair when leaving the field after being run out for 80.
According to ICC, Gurbaz admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Paul Wilson levelled the charge.
Notably, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
The victory over England on Sunday at Arun Jaitley Stadium was Afghanistan’s first at the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 and they now face an unbeaten New Zealand in Chennai on Wednesday.