Misbah in danger of over-rate ban

Misbah-ul-Haq has become the latest captain under threat of a one-match suspension for maintaining a slow over-rate, after Pakistan fell two overs short of their target in the opening game of the Asia Cup, against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Misbah was fined 40% of his match-fee for the offence while the rest of the players were docked 20%, but Misbah will face a suspension if his side have another over-rate transgression in an ODI in the next 12 months.

Since the ICC made the rules regarding over-rates stricter, after their annual conference in Hong Kong in June last year, India's captain MS Dhoni has been suspended for both a Test and an ODI, while Shane Watson is also in danger of a suspension after Australia failed to complete their overs in time in the third final of the Commonwealth Bank series.

David Boon was the match-referee for Pakistan's game against Bangladesh and ruled that Pakistan were too slow in completing their overs, after taking delays into consideration. Pakistan fell behind the rate despite just 18.1 of the 48.1 overs being bowled by fast bowlers, and will have to be careful over the next 12 months to avoid losing their captain for a match.