A dramatic moment from the ILT20 final has now landed Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah in trouble with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 22-year-old left-arm fast bowler has been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct following a heated argument on the field in Dubai.
Naseem Shah fined by ICC for breach of code of conduct after ILT20 final match
Babar Azam’s Pakistan teammate Naseem Shah, who was playing for Desert Vipers, has been banned by the ICC after a heated on-field altercation with MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard during the high-stakes ILT20 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on January 4.
Naseem was fined 10 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The International League T20 (ILT20) confirmed the development on Monday (January 5).
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Incident: What was the reason for the clash between Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard?
The incident unfolded in the 11th over of MI Emirates’ clash against Desert Vipers in the ILT20 title decider at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After Pollard defended the ball from Naseem, the Pakistani fast bowler picked it up with a smile.
The West Indies legend did not like this gesture and at that moment a heated argument broke out between the two. Both Pollard and Naseem moved towards each other angrily, with the MI Emirates captain clearly fuming and the Pakistani fast bowler unwilling to back down.
The situation deteriorated rapidly, forcing the on-field umpires to intervene. Desert Vipers batsman Jason Roy also helped calm things down as the two players parted ways. Despite the intervention, there was visible tension between the two, but Naseem had the final say in the summit conflict.
Hot moment between Naseem Shah and Pollard in ILT20 final pic.twitter.com/dUuXWLkt5g
– Junaz (@dhilllow_) 4 January 2026
Official decision: Match referee’s decision and sanctions
Match referee Simon Taufel found Naseem to have breached Article 2.5** of the ICC Code of Conduct and fined him. He escaped any suspension.
ILT20 wrote on its official website: “Desert Vipers fast bowler Naseem Shah has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct following the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Final against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on January 4.
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Shah was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with the use of language, actions or gestures that may insult a batsman or provoke an aggressive reaction from him after his dismissal. This ban was imposed by match referee Simon Taufel.
Match result: Vipers win amid controversies
The drama did not derail the Desert Vipers’ campaign. Naseem Shah had the last laugh by dismissing Pollard for 28 in the final of ILT20 2025-26 on Sunday.
Captain Sam Curran’s unbeaten half-century and Naseem’s brilliant spell (3/18) in Dubai helped Vipers beat MI Emirates by 46 runs to win their first ILT20 title.
