Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine in Tri-Series Final

Pakistan were fined 5 per cent of their match fee for a slow over-rate during the ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Lahore. The International Cricket Council announced the sanction on November 2, 2026, two days after the final at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.

The hosts were found one over short of the required rate once time allowances were taken into account. Match referee Jeff Crowe, of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, imposed the fine. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi pleaded guilty and accepted the sanction, so no formal hearing was needed.

The offence falls under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. That article covers minimum over-rate offences. Under the provision, players are fined 5 per cent of their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl in the allotted time.

On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Wayne Knights levelled the charge. Third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz were also part of the officiating team for the final.

Slow over-rate fine: what the sanction means

The fine does not change the result of the final. Pakistan still hold the tri-series title after their three-wicket win over Sri Lanka. The sanction is financial only, and it applies to the players’ match fees for that game.

Slow over-rate fines are meant to keep matches moving at a fair pace. Teams must bowl their overs within the time allowed, with set allowances for injuries, reviews and other stoppages. When a team falls short after those allowances, the match referee can fine the players.

In this case, the shortfall was a single over. That is why the fine stayed at 5 per cent. A larger shortfall would have brought a larger fine, at the same rate for each over missed.

Pakistan slow over-rate fine is the second in the series

This was not Pakistan’s first slow over-rate offence in the tournament. The team had already been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for falling two overs short against Sri Lanka in the opening match in Rawalpindi on October 18. That earlier penalty followed the same rule, at 5 per cent for each over missed.

Sri Lanka were also fined during the series. The ICC fined Sri Lanka for a slow over-rate in an earlier tri-series match, a case Feature Pakistan covered separately. The repeated fines show that over rates were a running issue through the tournament, not a one-off problem in the final.

For Pakistan, the repeat offence will draw attention from the team management. Bowling changes, fielding delays and long discussions between overs all eat into the time available. Captains and senior players usually manage the clock, and Afridi, as captain, accepted responsibility by pleading guilty.

How Pakistan won the final

Pakistan won the final by three wickets, chasing Sri Lanka’s total of 325 for eight with nine balls to spare. Fakhar Zaman led the chase with 127 runs off 99 balls. His innings included 11 fours and six sixes, and it was his 12th century in one-day internationals.

The win gave Pakistan the tri-series title at home, in front of a Lahore crowd. It also capped a strong tournament for Fakhar, whose century set up the chase after Sri Lanka had posted a challenging total.

Why were Pakistan fined in the tri-series final?

Pakistan were one over short of the required over rate after time allowances, so the ICC fined the players 5 per cent of their match fee under Article 2.22 of its code of conduct.

Who imposed the fine?

Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanction. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi pleaded guilty and accepted it, so no formal hearing took place.

Does the fine change the tri-series result?

No. Pakistan still won the final by three wickets and hold the tri-series title. The sanction affects match fees only.

Was this Pakistan’s first slow over-rate fine in the series?

No. Pakistan were fined 10 per cent for falling two overs short against Sri Lanka in the opening match in Rawalpindi on October 18.

Who scored the runs in the final?

Fakhar Zaman scored 127 off 99 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes, as Pakistan chased Sri Lanka’s 325 for eight with nine balls to spare.