HARARE: Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been fined 15% of his match fee for showing dissent at an umpire's decision during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Friday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed.
Naib was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.”
The incident occurred in the 11th over of Zimbabwe's innings when an LBW appeal against Tashinga Musekiwa, off the bowling of captain Rashid Khan, was turned down.
Frustrated, Naib displayed dissent by bowing mockingly in a prayer gesture and calling for a review, despite the match not having a DRS system.
In addition to the financial penalty, a demerit point was added to Naib’s disciplinary record, marking his first offence in the past 24 months.
The former Afghanistan captain admitted to the breach and accepted the sanction proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft, negating the need for a formal hearing.
It is pertinent to mention that Afghanistan went on to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-1, winning the final game on Saturday by three wickets.
Chasing a target of 128, Afghanistan reached the total with three balls to spare, scoring 128/7 in 19.3 overs.
The series began with a victory for the hosts, Zimbabwe, who chased down Afghanistan's 145-run target in 20 overs with four wickets in hand.
However, Afghanistan bounced back emphatically in the second match, posting 153/6 and bundling out Zimbabwe for 103 runs in 17.4 overs, securing a convincing 50-run win.
