Pakistan fined for maintaining slow over-rate in their 2023 World Cup clash against New Zealand

Pakistan have been fined 10 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during their 2023 World Cup victory against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Babar Azam's men won the game by 21 runs via the D/L method to stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot.

The sanction, levelled by on-field umpires Paul Wilson and Richard Kettleborough along with third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Joel Wilson, was one of the few downsides from an otherwise impressive victory. Richie Richardson of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction.

According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, players cop a five per cent match fee for every occasion their side fails to complete the requisite overs in the allotted time.

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Pakistan became the first team to win in World Cup after conceding 400 runs

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam put on an unbeaten 194. (Credits: Getty)

The 21-run win over New Zealand also made Pakistan the first side to win a World Cup match after conceding 400 runs. Babar Azam won the toss and sent New Zealand into bat, but witnessed an onslaught from the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips.

Tim Southee striking in his first over to remove Abdullah Shafique made life further difficult for Pakistan in the second innings. However, Fakhar Zaman launched a stunning counterattack and did not spare any Kiwi bowlers.

The left-hander's 63-ball 100 was the fastest by a Pakistan batter in a World Cup fixture. Zaman remained unbeaten at 126 off 81 balls, while at the other end, Babar stayed not out on 66 when rain intervened.

The Men in Green were already 21 runs ahead of the par score at that point, with rain washing out the rest of the contest.

While Pakistan won their fourth game of the tournament, they must also earn victory their final league match against England on November 11 in Kolkata and hope for other results to go their way.