Hamilton, Apr 3 (UNI) Mohammed Rizwan-led Pakistan side have been fined five percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the second ODI here on Wednesday.

Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after the visiting side was found to be one over short of the target after the time allowances were taken into consideration.

As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which governs minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five percent of their match fees for each over their team falls short of bowling in stipulated time.

Skipper Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, along with third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Chris Brown.

This is the second consecutive instance when Pakistan have been fined for a slow over-rate. In the first ODI against New Zealand in Napier, which the visitors lost by 73 runs, the team was found to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were considered, an ICC report said.

Trailing 1-0 in the series, Pakistan were bested by 84 runs as Mitchell Hay scored a career-best 99 not out to help the hosts post 292/8 in the first innings. Ben Sears led New Zealand’s charge with

the ball, registering career-best figures of 5/59 to help bowl out Pakistan for 208.

The third ODI between the two sides is scheduled for April 5 in Mount Maunganui.

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