KARACHI: Pakistan were penalised for a slow over-rate during the ICC Champions Trophy opener on Wednesday after failing to complete their allotted overs within the allotted time.
The hosts, who are also the reigning champions, won the toss and opted to field first in Karachi, marking the tournament’s inaugural match as Haris Rauf made his return to the squad.
It took Pakistan over four hours to bowl the first innings of the 2025 Champions Trophy, with play beginning at 2:00 PM and concluding at 6:11 PM local time.
The Champions Trophy’s regulations stipulate a minimum over rate of 14.28 overs per hour, which translates to an ODI innings ideally finishing in about three-and-a-half hours.
Alongside the on-field penalty, it’s likely that each member of Pakistan’s playing XI will face fines for lagging behind the required pace. Under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, players can have five percent of their match fee docked for every over they fall short of the minimum rate, capped at 50 percent.
The exact number of overs by which Pakistan fell behind has yet to be disclosed. Meanwhile, New Zealand posted an impressive total of 320 for 5, thanks to stellar performances from Will Young (107), Tom Latham (118*), and Glenn Phillips (61* off just 39 deliveries). Pakistan in reply, were 22 for 2 in 10 overs.
