United Arab Emirates (UAE) captain Muhammad Waseem has been fined 15% of his match fee for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Nepal. Waseem was penalized for a Level 1 offence under Article 2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct, related to making public criticism or inappropriate comments about an incident in an International Match.
The charge against Waseem arose from his comments at the post-match presentation ceremony, where he accused the umpiring of being biased. The on-field officials and the third and fourth umpires reported the incident. Waseem acknowledged his mistake and accepted the penalty suggested by Wendell La Brooy of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, avoiding a formal hearing.
Apart from the fine, Waseem has also received one demerit point, marking his first offence in two years. Level 1 breaches can lead to an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50% of the player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Players accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months may face suspension, with the points converting into bans. Two suspension points result in a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever occurs first. Demerit points stay on a player’s disciplinary record for two years before being removed.
In the T20 series, UAE, who won the first match, suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the second game, allowing Nepal to level the series at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
