ICC punishes Nicholas Pooran for 'publicly criticising' umpire during 2nd India vs West Indies T20I
Pooran has been punished by the ICC for breaching the Code of Conduct during the match in Guyana on Sunday and handed a hefty fine.
There have been two reasons behind West Indies' first ever back-to-back T20I wins against India in a bilateral series. One has been their bowling and the other, the in-form Nicholas Pooran. Continuing his sublime form in Major League Cricket, where struck a whirlwind century knock in the final, the former captain smashed 108 runs in two matches which included a counter-attacking 67 that single-handedly won the match for the home team in the 2nd T20I. However, the star batter has been punished by the ICC for breaching the Code of Conduct during the match in Guyana on Sunday and handed a hefty fine.
Pooran has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct during India's innings. Pooran flouted Article 2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match.
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The incident had happened in the fourth over after India captain Hardik Pandya opted to bat first. Pooran had criticised the umpire for having to use up a player review option for a decision that he felt was clearly not out.
Pooran admitted to the offence and accepted the sanctions levelled by on-field umpires Leslie Reifer and Nigel Duguid, third umpire Gregory Brathwaite and fourth official Patrick Gustard and proposed by match referee Richie Richardson and hence there was no need for a formal hearing.
In addition to the fine, Pooran has also been handed a demerit point which will add to his disciplinary record. It was his first offence in the last 24-month period. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Pooran stars in WI's 2-0 lead
India captain Hardik Pandya struck early in West Indies chase, picking two wickets in the first over. But West Indies quickly gained momentum after Pooran's counter-attacking strokeplay amid the fielding restrictions. And even though West Indies lost a third wicket inside the powerplay, an 18-run final over against the new ball, courtesy of Pooran, ensured that the hosts were firmly in the chase.
Rovman Powell ably supported Pooran in the 57-run fourth-wicket partnership despite the captain himself struggling on the sluggish Guyana pitch. But the No.4 continued in style, smashing six boundaries and four maximums in his 40-ball 67 which helped the team wrap up the chase with seven balls to spare.
