ICC reprimands Tahir for breaching clothing regulations

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reprimanded South African leg spinner Imran Tahir for lifting his shirt which sported the image of Pakistan religious preacher Junaid Jamshed during a wicket celebration in the second T20 International at the Wanderers stadium.

After dismissing Sri Lankan batsman Asela Gunaratne, Tahir charged off into his typical celebratory sprints and then pulled his playing shirt over to reveal the image.

Jamshed was one of the victims of a Pakistan International Airlines plane crash en route to Islamabad in December.

Though there was no initial response from the ICC, but Tahir's reaction quickly gained wide attention on social media since they have reprimanded him for a procedural breach under section G1 of their clothing and equipment regulations which relates to displaying personal messages without approval.

"Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment ("Personal Messages") unless approved in advance by both the player or team official's Board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes," the regulation says.

The 37-year-old admitted the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the ICC and hence there was no formal hearing of the matter.