Cricket news

3 matches, 3 fines, 0 wins: Pakistan fined thrice in 10 days for being consistently slow — that’s talent

The Pakistan cricket team has been fined thrice in 10 days by the ICC for slow over-rate during the ODI series against New Zealand. The Pakistanis lost the ODI series 0-3 and had a spot of bother with the crowd, feat Khushdil Shah.

Published

2 years ago

April 7, 2025

Javed Rasheedi

By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

The Pakistan cricket team has been penalised by the ICC for the third time in 10 days — for the exact same reason as in the first two matches of the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand.

The Pakistan team, captained by Mohammed Rizwan, was fined 5% of their match fee for slow over-rate against New Zealand in the final ODI at Mount Maunganui on April 5. They were also penalised for over-rate violations in the first ODI on March 29 and the second on April 2.

Yes, three matches, three over-rate offences, and one very consistent performance: running late in completing their overs.

After achieving such a rare cricketing hat-trick in New Zealand, Pakistan has unlocked a rare double consistency — not just in losing back-to-back matches across formats, but also in getting fined for slow over-rates. Whether it’s T20Is, ODIs or Tests, they’re dropping games and running late, both with equal dedication.

While their opponents were finishing matches early, Pakistan was finishing overs late — a classic case of bad timing on and off the field.

Following a humiliating 0-3 whitewash in the ODI series and a 1-4 defeat in the T20Is, Pakistan’s latest headache comes in the form of repeated fines. The ICC confirmed on Monday that Pakistan have been docked 5% of their match fee for falling short by one over in the third ODI at Mount Maunganui.

ICC match referee Jeff Crowe slapped a 5% fine on the team’s match fee after they came up one over short — again. This was under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, aka the “Stop Wasting Time” clause. As per ICC rules, players are fined 5% of their match fee per missing over, considering time allowances.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan accepted the charge with lightning speed, faster than his team could bowl 50 overs.

Series of setbacks: poor form and off-field issues

The penalties are adding insult to injury of Pakistan’s nightmare tour of New Zealand. After failing to progress beyond the group stage in the Champions Trophy as hosts, the team managed just one win across eight matches in New Zealand — adding to their growing woes in white-ball cricket.

In the final ODI, Michael Bracewell and Rhys Mariu scored half-centuries to guide New Zealand to 264/8 in just 42 overs (cut short due to rain). Pakistan, in reply, were bowled out for 221 as pacer Ben Sears took his second consecutive five-wicket haul, sealing a 43-run victory for the hosts and a clean sweep of the series.

This marked Pakistan’s sixth straight ODI loss to New Zealand — an alarming streak ahead of key international fixtures.

Bonus drama: Khushdil Shah vs the crowd

In a dramatic twist, all-rounder Shah almost climbed the fence to confront a couple of hecklers with security personnel intervening before he went full WWE.

The PCB later clarified that two spectators (apparently from Afghanistan) had hurled abuses in Pashto, and they were removed from the ground. Cricket fans, a reminder: heckling doesn’t make you clever — it just makes security work overtime.

Heckling aside, it is the PCB’s headache now to get the team back into some shape and overcome this horrible patch.

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Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.