Harbhajan Singh fined for Code of Conduct breach

India's Harbhajan Singh has been fined 25 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's first ODI against South Africa.

Harbhajan pleaded guilty to the offence to ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe in a hearing after play concluded in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Harbhajan was found to have breached 1:6 of the ICC Code which relates to `Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler upon the dismissal of a batsman.'

"While Harbhajan apologised for his actions to the umpires immediately and later to the batsman, he has now indicated that this type of violation will not be repeated" said Mr Crowe.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

The charge was brought by Umpires Daryl Harper, Hariharan Krishna, Ivaturi Sivaram & Aloke Bhattacharjee.

Jeff Crowe reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by Harbhajan, Wing Commander Baladitya and the Umpires. For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.