Pakistan’s cricket team faced a fine and a points deduction after being found guilty of a slow over-rate during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. The sanction follows a dominant 10-wicket win for South Africa, completing a 2-0 series whitewash.
South Africa’s seven-match winning streak in Tests is their second-longest run of victories, behind a nine-match winning streak in 2002-2003. The Proteas are now preparing for their World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June 2025.
Pakistan’s cricket team has been fined 25% of their match fee and docked five ICC World Test Championship points due to a slow over-rate during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The penalty was imposed by Richie Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, after Pakistan was found to be five overs short of the required target, taking time allowances into account.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers minimum over-rate offences, teams are fined 5% of their match fee for every over bowled behind the allocated time. Additionally, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship conditions, one point is deducted for each over short, leading to a five-point deduction for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, accepted the charge and the proposed sanction without the need for a formal hearing. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Alex Wharf and fourth umpire Stephen Harris.
Earlier in Pretoria, South Africa had won the first Test by two wickets, overcoming a late collapse to chase 148.
The penalty came on the heels of South Africa’s dominant 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town, on January 6, 2025, completing a 2-0 series whitewash. South Africa required just 58 runs to win, completing the task without losing a wicket.
Pakistan, who had been dismissed for 194 in their first innings in response to South Africa’s 615, were bowled out for 478 in their second innings after being forced to follow on. Masood’s 145 led the fightback, but it was not enough to avoid defeat.
Despite the loss, Pakistan showed resilience in their second innings, and Masood expressed hope that his team could achieve greater consistency in their upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies, which begins on January 17.