Pakistan fined for slow over rate (15 April 1999)

15 April 1999

Pakistan fined for slow over rate

Nelson Clare in Sharjah

Pakistan's players were fined 10 per cent of their match fees for failing to bowl the required number of overs against England in the Sharjah Cup one-day triangular series.

Match referee Sidath Wettimuny said yesterday he was imposing the fine because of the team's performance in their league match against England on Monday.

Wettimuny, a former Sri Lanka Test player, fined Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar a further 10 per cent of his match fee for abusive language.

"He used abusive language against English opener Nick Knight in Monday's match," Wettimuny said.

Earlier, Indian pace bowler Venkatesh Prasad was fined 30 per cent of his fee for using abusive language against England batsman Vince Wells in Sunday's match.

India ended an eight-match losing sequence against Pakistan with a comfortable six-wicket victory in the final group game on Tuesday night.

India reached 206 for four thanks to fine innings by Rahul Dravid and Sadagopan Ramesh. Chasing Pakistan's modest score of 205 for nine, the pair combined in a second-wicket stand of 166.

Ramesh hit eight fours in his brilliant 82 off 131 balls before he was run out after slipping while attempting an easy run.

Dravid, who struck six boundaries in his 81, was run out in the next over after failing to beat a throw from Wajahatullah Wasti.

Earlier, Salim Malik and Moin Khan hit half-centuries to bolster Pakistan's innings, which at one stage had slumped to 50 for four. Malik took 90 balls over a solid fifty while Moin hit a brisk 54 off 61 balls with five fours. Their sixth-wicket stand was worth 73 off 84 balls.

India and Pakistan meet in the final tomorrow after England were eliminated from the tournament, having lost once to Pakistan and twice to India.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)