KARACHI: The International Cricket Council fined Pakistan for their slow over-rate in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.

“The hosts have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over rate during the tournament’s opening game in Karachi,” the ICC said in a press release issued today. It said the fine was applied to Pakistan after they were found one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

“While on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charge, Match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction - 5pc of match fee deducted. “Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence with no formal hearing required thereafter,” the ICC said. Explaining the decision, the ICC said that in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel regarding minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 5pc of their match fee for every over if their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.