Senior Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman has been fined and given one demerit point for his behavior towards the umpires in the T20 tri-series final against Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has found Fakhar Zaman in breach of Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The incident unfolded in the 19th over of Pakistan’s innings, when Zaman had a lengthy argument with the on-field umpires following a decision during the T20 tri-series final against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which led to his dismissal.
ICC punishes Fakhar Zaman for confronting umpires in Rawalpindi
Ryan King of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees handed down the punishment to the Pakistan opener after the charge was reported by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Asif Yaqoob, third umpire Rashid Riaz and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.
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Now, for a Level 1 offence, Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman has been fined 10% of his match fee, and one demerit point added to his disciplinary record for showing frustration at the umpire’s decision. This is his first offense in the last two years.
Zaman was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing disagreement with an umpire’s decision during an international match”, the ICC said in an official statement. One demerit point was added to Zaman’s disciplinary record, for which it was the first offense in a 24-month period.
Pakistan makes great start to 2025 with T20I tri-series win
Last week, Pakistan concluded the T20I tri-series with an impressive six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. With this win, Pakistan ended the year 2025 with 21 wins in 34 matches, making it their most successful calendar year in T20I cricket.
At one stage, the Sri Lankan team was at 84 for 1, but a moment of pressure blew the game away. Thanks to Kamil Mishara’s fighting half-century, they could score only 110 runs, while the rest of the batsmen failed to even cross the 15-run mark in the final against Pakistan.
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Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi shone with the ball, taking three wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed got two wickets. Pakistan were never going to have any trouble chasing 115 runs. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (23) and Saim Ayub (36) gave Pakistan a steady start and Babar Azam batted calmly and remained unbeaten on 37 and achieved the target in the 19th over.
Sri Lankan spinners looked flat in front of Pakistani batsmen. Pawan Rathnayake was the best bowler for the Sri Lankan team taking two wickets.
Pakistan unbeatable in T20I tri-series final
This victory added to Pakistan’s excellent record in T20 tri-series finals, which continued. This was their fourth T20I tri-series win since 2018.
After this victory, Pakistan defeated Australia in Harare in 2018, New Zealand in Christchurch in 2022 and Afghanistan in Sharjah in 2025. The Men in Green will next be seen in action against the Islanders in the three-match T20I series.
