Afsar Zazai Punished By ICC For Code of Conduct Breach In AFG vs BAN Only Test

Afghanistan Cricket Team (Source: AFP)In a major development, Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Afsar Zazai has received an official reprimand from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaking its Code of Conduct during the recently concluded one-off Test match against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.The ICC found Afsar Zazai guilty of breaching Article 2.4 of its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. It is worth noting that this rule deals with players or team support staff who disobey an umpire’s instructions during an international match.Why Was Afsar Zazai Fined in AFG vs BAN Only Test?The incident took place when Afsar Zazai was performing his duties as the 12th man for Afghanistan during the Test match against Bangladesh.According to the ICC, the Afghanistan cricketer ignored several instructions from the on-field umpires. They had told him not to enter the field of play and to stop wasting time.However, Zazai entered the field again without the umpires’ permission during the 139th over of the match. His actions led to a breach of Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct.The charges were brought by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Allahuddien Paleker, third umpire Asif Yaqoob, and fourth umpire Izatullah Safi.Under ICC rules, a Level 1 offence can result in an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.Along with the official reprimand, the ICC has added one demerit point to his disciplinary record. It was his first offence in a 24-month period."Afsar Zazai was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match" - the ICC said in a statement.In addition to the warning, one demerit point has been added to Zazai’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period" the statement added. Who Is Afsar Zazai?Afsar Zazai is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter and has represented Afghanistan in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. The player made history by representing Afghanistan in the country's first-ever Test match against India in June 2018. His early talent came into the limelight when he joined Afghanistan’s Under-19 team at age 16. He also played in the 2010 and 2012 Under-19 World Cups.Looking at his stats for Afghanistan, Afsar Zazai has played 10 Test matches and scored 378 runs, including one century. In ODIs, he has scored 264 runs in 17 matches, while in eight T20I games he has scored 141 runs.ALSO READ'Once In A Generation Bowler': Sanju Samson Remembers Jasprit Bumrah After India's Defeat vs WI