ICC sanctions Pakistan pacers Abbas, Khurram over aggressive celebrations

Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad have been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, Trinidad.

Both pacers were found guilty of a Level 1 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct and received one demerit point each for excessive on-field celebrations.

Khurram Shahzad was additionally fined 15 percent of his match fee, while Mohammad Abbas received an official reprimand.

The duo were charged under Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits the use of language, actions or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction or humiliate a dismissed batter.

Khurram Shahzad was penalised for aggressively celebrating close to Shai Hope after dismissing the West Indies batter during the 17th over of the second innings.

Mohammad Abbas, meanwhile, was reprimanded for his overzealous celebration after claiming the final wicket of Jomel Warrican, sealing Pakistan's victory.

Both players admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanctions, eliminating the need for a formal disciplinary hearing.

The penalties were imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe following reports submitted by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal.

The ICC confirmed that this was the first disciplinary offence for both Abbas and Khurram Shahzad in the past 24 months.

Under ICC regulations, a player accumulating four or more demerit points within a 24-month period has those points converted into suspension points, which can result in a ban from international cricket.