Pakistan batter Gul Firoza has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and one demerit point for breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct during Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup Group A match against Hong Kong in Dubai on Wednesday. The incident occurred when Firoza reacted to an on-field umpire’s decision during Pakistan’s innings.
Firoza was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match). The incident took place in the fifth over of Pakistan's innings after Firoza had been LBW.
Firoza then appeared to indicate she had edged the ball with her bat after being dismissed. She was said to be gesturing towards her bat in protest of the decision but this was deemed a breach of ICC rules and hence Level 1 sanction was imposed.
With the punishment, Firoza has now received her second demerit point in the last 24 months. She had already been given one demerit point for an incident during Pakistan Women’s T20 World Cup league match against Australia on June 23. The latest sanction thus takes her disciplinary record to another point.
Firoza admitted the offence and accepted the punishment proposed by Supriya Rani Das of Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. As Pakistan batter had accepted both offence and punishment proposed by referee, an official disciplinary hearing was not required, said ICC.
The match officials charged Firoza with the offence. The on-field umpires were Rabab Ahsan and Rokeya Sultana; third umpire Shivani Mishra and fourth umpire Shathira Jakir. The officials reported the incident after Firoza was dismissed together.
A Level 1 violation under the ICC Code of Conduct can be sanctioned with a minimum official reprimand and maximum penalty is 50 percent of match fee (one or two demerit points depending on offence and circumstances). So Firoza’s sanction is within the range for a Level 1 violation.
The latest development is particularly important because demerit points stay on a player’s disciplinary record for 24 months from the date they are imposed — if a player accumulates four or more demerit points during that time those points are converted into suspension points under ICC disciplinary rules.
The suspension mechanism can also directly affect a player’s availability. Two suspension points mean one Test match ban, two ODIs ban or two T20I ban (depending on the circumstances and whichever format comes first).
As Firoza now has two demerit points in the relevant 24 months any further disciplinary offence could put more pressure on her disciplinary record. Players who accumulate additional points during the active period could eventually be suspended if they reach the threshold set by ICC regulations.
The incident comes in the middle of Women’s Asia Cup competition where Pakistan are playing some of the best teams in Asian women’s cricket. It has been another important international platform for players like Firoza and discipline and adherence to ICC Code of Conduct have become an integral part of the competition.
Disagreement with an umpire’s decision may well happen in the frenetic world of international cricket but players have to make sure their reaction does not cross the line set by ICC. The sanction against Firoza is a reminder that gestures or visible reactions interpreted as dissent will also be dealt with.
Firoza’s acceptance of the charge means that the case is closed without a formal hearing. But the extra demerit point will stay on her record for the next 24 months so future conduct is even more crucial as Pakistan continue their international push.
