The ICC has penalised former Pakistan captain Babar Azam for breaching Level 1 of the Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The decision followed an incident in the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings, where Babar, dismissed for 34 off 52 balls, swung his bat at the stumps before leaving the field. The gesture, interpreted as frustration, violated Article 2.2 of the ICC Code, which concerns “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.” He was fined 10% of his match fee. The 31-year-old accepted the breach, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. His record now carries one demerit point, the first logged against him in the last 24 months. Ali Naqvi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees proposed the sanction, and Babar agreed to it without contest. According to ICC regulations, Level 1 offences usually attract an official reprimand at minimum and may extend to a fine worth half a player’s match fee. Read also: IND vs SA 2nd Test: Shubman Gill Doubtful, Nitish Reddy Added to India Squad in Kolkata First offence in two years adds pressure on disciplinary tally With the addition of one demerit point, Babar now enters the monitored bracket where accumulation becomes consequential. The ICC clarifies: “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.” A player risks suspension if four or more points are gathered within 24 months, as these convert to suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban of one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, whichever appears next in the schedule. Demerit points, however, expire after 24 months if no further offences occur. The incident overshadowed Babar’s performance in the second ODI, where he had broken his international century drought by scoring an unbeaten 102 in a 289-run chase, earning the player-of-the-match award. The contrast between his composure in that innings and his irritation in Rawalpindi has drawn attention to the pressures accompanying Pakistan’s key batter.