Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has found himself in hot water with the International Cricket Council after receiving an official sanction during the first Test match against Australia in Perth. The star batsman was penalized for violating the ICC Code of Conduct, marking another disciplinary setback for the visiting team.
The Code of Conduct Breach
Babar Azam was found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This specific article deals with throwing a cricket ball in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during an international match. The incident occurred on the third day of the Test match at Perth Stadium, specifically on December 16, 2024.
The Pakistan skipper admitted to the offense and accepted the proposed sanction from match referee Javagal Srinath. As a result, one demerit point has been added to Azam's disciplinary record, and he has been fined 10 percent of his match fee. This marks the first demerit point on Babar Azam's record within the past 24-month period.
Match Context and Performance
The disciplinary issue came during what proved to be a challenging match for the Pakistani team. Australia dominated the first Test, securing a convincing victory by 360 runs. The home team's performance was particularly impressive given they were playing without their regular captain Pat Cummins, who was unavailable for the match.
Despite the personal setback, Babar Azam showed resilience with his batting performance. He scored a fighting 90 runs in the first innings, though he managed only 17 runs in the second innings as Pakistan struggled to cope with Australia's bowling attack.
ICC Disciplinary Process Explained
The charge against Babar Azam was formally leveled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Richard Illingworth, along with third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Donovan Koch. Level 1 breaches like this one typically carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Under the ICC Code of Conduct, demerit points remain active on a player's record for a 24-month period. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within this timeframe, they are automatically converted into suspension points, which can lead to match bans. The fact that this is Babar's first offense in two years means he avoids immediate suspension concerns.
The incident serves as a reminder of the strict behavioral standards maintained in international cricket and the importance of player discipline even in high-pressure situations. With the series continuing, all eyes will be on how Babar Azam and the Pakistani team respond to both the disciplinary action and their comprehensive defeat in the opening Test.
