Asia Cup: Hasan, Rashid, Afghan penalised for misconduct

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali, and Afghanistans duo of skipper Asghar Afghan and leg-spinner Rashid Khan have all been fined 15 percent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct in separate incidents during their Super-Four match in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The trio have also received one demerit point each for their offences in the Asia Cup tie on Friday.

According to an International Cricket Council (ICC) statement, "Hasan and Asghar were found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.1 of the ICC code of conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game', while Rashid was found to have violated Article 2.1.7, which deals with 'using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an international match."

This was the first instance for both Hasan and Rashid to have received demerit points while this was Afghan's second offence within a 24-month period.

Earlier in February 2017, Asghar received a reprimand and one demerit point for showing dissent against an umpire's decision in an ODI against Zimbabwe. As such, he now has two demerit points.

Hasan was penalised for his actions in the 33rd over of Afghanistan's innings when he threatened to throw the ball towards striker Hashmatullah Shahidi after fielding off his own bowling.

As regards the incident involving Asghar, the Afghanistan captain brushed his shoulder with the bowler Hasan in the 37th over as he passed him while taking a run.

Rashid, who turned 20 this week, was found guilty for giving a sendoff to Asif Ali in the 47th over of Pakistan's innings when he held up a finger and stared at the batsman, an action that could have provoked an aggressive reaction from the departing batsman.

After the match, all the three players pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Shaun George, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Anis-ur-Rahman.

--IANS

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