Team fined, Inzamam reprimanded

Karachi, March 15: Inzamam-ul-Haq's celebration were spoiled by match referee Brian Hastings who severely reprimanded him and gave a suspended 25% match fee fine for six months for criticising the Sri Lankan players.

"The player has received a severe reprimand and a suspended 25% match fee fine applicable for six months and effective from March 15 to September 15.

"The fine is in respect to the comments attributed to him regarding Sri Lanka players. The penalty is in accordance with the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of players conduct," Hastings said in a statement.

Inzamam, who stroked a match-winning 138 on Tuesday, had said the close-in Sri Lankan fielders sledge and continuously tried to disturb his concentration.

Hastings said it was unfortunate that Inzamam was being fined after such a wonderful innings. "But he has breached the ICC players code of conduct and had to face the consequences."

Inzamam suffered a double blow when he was amongst the 11 Pakistan players who were fined 25% of their match fee for slow over-rate by the New Zealander officiating his first match.

Hastings said: "All the players have been fined 25% of their match fee as they were five overs short of the required over-rate of 15 overs per hour."

Hastings said he would have fined the home team 100% of their match fee had Sri Lanka played out four more overs. "Pakistan were far behind in their over-rate in the second innings as well. But no fine was applicable as Sri Lanka were bowled out under 50 overs."

Hastings said there were one or two incidents in the third match "and its unfortunate that they happened. But matters are all solved before the close of play between the parties involved."

He said the matter of excessive appealing was raised with both the teams before the series, particularly before this Test. "But excessive appealing is in the hands of the umpires.

"When you have a bowler like Muttiah Muralitharan, you always appealing whenever the ball hits the pads."