Cricket News / Shafali Verma Reprimanded by ICC for Code of Conduct Breach During 2nd Women's T20I Vs Zimbabwe

Dubai, Oct 20: India batter Shafali Verma has been officially reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating its Code of Conduct during the second Women’s T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Sunday.

The incident took place in the 12th over of Zimbabwe's innings when Shafali dropped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid-off off the bowling of Sree Charani. Frustrated by the missed opportunity, the Indian batter threw the ball into the ground, prompting the match officials to charge her with a Level 1 offence.

Shafali was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which covers the abuse of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment, fixtures and fittings during an international match.

The 22-year-old has also received one demerit point on her disciplinary record. This is her first offence within a 24-month period.

Shafali admitted the breach and accepted the sanction proposed by GS Lakshmi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Gayathri Venugopalan, third umpire Anna Harris and fourth umpire Janani Narayanan levelled the charge.

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Under the ICC’s regulations, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum sanction of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.

The reprimand followed an impressive batting performance by Shafali in the same match, where she smashed 55 off just 25 balls to help India secure a commanding victory over Zimbabwe. India chased down the visitors’ total of 102/8 in fewer than nine overs, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

The two teams are scheduled to face each other in the third and final T20I in Raipur on Tuesday, October 20.

(IANS)