Du Plessis gets off lightly for ball tampering

DUBAI: South African all-rounder Faf du Plessis got away with a mere 50% match fee fine after he pleaded guilty to ball tampering during the second test against Pakistan in Dubai, as South Africa continued its unbeaten run in away Test series – wrapping up the match by an innings and 92 runs.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday said the 29-year-old all rounder had pleaded guilty to the charge.

“Du Plessis is fined 50% of his match fee after breaching the ICC code of conduct on Friday,” the ICC statement said. Du Plessis is the first South African to be charged with ball tampering.

The incident took place in the 31st over of Pakistan’s second innings on Friday afternoon when du Plessis was seen on television rubbing the ball in the vicinity of the zip of his trouser pocket, the ICC said.

Interestingly, the match referee David Boon of Australia said he was content that it was not a deliberate attempt to alter the condition of the “After discussions with du Plessis, he has elected not to contest that charge, but I am also satisfied that this was not part of a deliberate or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball,” he said, adding that the imposition of a fine of 50% of his match fee was ‘appropriate’ considering the circumstances.

The statement by the world cricketing body said, “The TV umpire Paul Reiffel brought this to the notice of the on-field umpires who, in accordance with clause 42.1.1 of the ICC Test match playing conditions, which deals with the match ball – changing its condition – replaced the ball, awarded five penalty runs to Pakistan and reported du Plessis.”

Protest against decision

Pakistan Cricket Board top official Najam Sethi disagreed with the decision and said he will protest the fine with the ICC.

“PCB is writing letter to ICC seeking explanation of inconsistency by match referee in application of ball tampering rule to Afridi vs Faf,” tweeted Sethi, referring to Afridi’s ban for the same offence in Australia in 2010.

Former Pakistan players have lambasted the game’s governing body for taking what they saw as an overly lenient action against the South African player, saying that a player from the subcontinent would have been banned, for the same crime.

“I am surprised at the decision,” former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said.

Akhtar, who was banned for two one-days and fined 75% of his match fee for tampering during a tri-series in Sri Lanka in 2003, said Pakistan have ‘no say’ in the ICC. “We can’t raise our voice, so this will go on like this,” he added.

Former test batman Basit Ali while talking to The Express Tribune lambasted the body for double standards. “It’s double standards from ICC as I feel he should’ve been at least given a three-match suspension,” Basit said.

Former skipper Rashid Latif also criticised the ICC decision. “How can you give such a lenient decision on such hard evidence? He should have been banned for six months at least,” he said.

However, another former captain Aamir Sohail, believed the punishment was under the rules.

Ajmal reprimanded

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was handed an official reprimand after pleading guilty to using abusive language and gestures during the second Test against South Africa in Dubai.

“Ajmal pleaded guilty to a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day’s play on Friday,” the ICC said.

“The incident happened when Ajmal, after dismissing South Africa batsman Morne Morkel, turned to the umpire and repeatedly appealed even though the batsman had been caught at first slip by Younis Khan.

“Ajmal’s appeal for a caught behind off the previous delivery had been turned down so the bowler’s actions after taking the wicket were considered insulting towards the umpire, which contravenes the ICC Code of Conduct,” the ICC said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2013.