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New Delhi: Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam was fined and handed a demerit point for misconduct in their third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
He was fined 10 percent of his match for hitting the stumps with his bat after dismissal for breach of International Cricket Council's code of conduct.
The 31-year-old was found guilty of not abiding by Article 2.2 relating to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match".
It his Babar's first offence in a 24-month period, for which one demeit point was added to his disciplinary record.
In the 21st over of Pakistan's innings, Babar hit the stumps with his bat before leaving the crease after getting out on Sunday in the final match of the series.
He was charged by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi while match referee Ali Naqvi proposed the sanction.
"The Pakistan batter admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction, negating the need for a formal hearing," the ICC said in a statement.
With 165 runs, Babar emerges as the highest scores in the series, including his 20th ODI century, as Pakistan swept the series.
Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja lauded Babar for displaying patience and restraint in the face of intense criticism over his prolonged off-form in recent years.
His century in the third match came after 807 days and 83 international innings and Raja said the top-order batter recently confided his disappointment in him.
"I met him recently in a cafe and he expressed his frustration at the way he had to face criticism, personal comments over his place in the team and his performances," Ramiz said on his youtube channel.
Raja said he gave confidence to Babar to bat freely without thinking of strike rates and told to block out all outside noise.
Because as a player your only job is to perform on the field. He has all the shots and he is a treat to watch even when he defends. He shouldn't be worried about strike rates; he just needs to bat longer," he said.
"I was very happy to see him back among the runs with his century against Sri Lanka."
