ICC defends verdict on Du Plessis

South Africa’s Faf Du Plessis was fined only 50% of his match fee for the ball-tampering incident in the second Test against Pakistan. PHOTO: FILE AFP

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has defended the decision made by its match referee David Boon, who only imposed a 50% fine on South Africa’s Faf du Plessis after he indulged in ball-tampering, during the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai last week.

The decision on Du Plessis, who pleaded guilty, annoyed the cricket fraternity in the country that saw Shahid Afridi receiving a ban for two Twenty20s for the same offence in 2010. Besides Afridi, former fast-bowlers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar were also handed out stricter punishments in the past for tampering with the ball.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sought an explanation from the ICC on an apparent inconsistency in dealing with ball-tampering offenders.

However, it has been learnt that ICC has defended the decision made by Boon.

“The ICC in its reply termed the decision by match referee as one within rules and regulations pertaining to ball tampering,” a PCB official close to the matter told The Express Tribune.

“The ICC also wrote that the PCB must understand the context of the decision and while it understands the sentiments emanating within Pakistan, the ruling cannot be considered inappropriate”.

As per the ICC rule, penalties for offences such as Du Plessis’ can range from a fine of 50% to 100% of the match fee or to bans for one Test, two One-Day Internationals or two Twenty20s.

‘PCB may pursue case further’

The official added that the cricket board is not satisfied with the response and are evaluating options of sending the governing body of the game a follow-up letter. In this regard, a top official has been assigned the task of ascertaining all aspects of the ruling by the match referee.

“A senior PCB official has been given the task to check the rules and regulations pertinent to the matter and explore if the issue needs to be pursued further pursued,” said the official.

Earlier former ICC Chief Ehsan Mani had stated that the PCB should not compare Du Plessis’ case with that of Shahid Afridi.

“There are inconsistencies in decisions. But I feel this matter shouldn’t be related to the Shahid Afridi [ball-biting] incident [that resulted in a two-match ban in 2010].”