ICC reprimands Mohammad Asif for aggressive reaction

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today reprimanded Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif for reacting aggressively on getting a wicket during the second one-dayer against Sri Lanka here on Sunday.

Abu Dhabi, May 22 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) today reprimanded Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif for reacting aggressively on getting a wicket during the second one-dayer against Sri Lanka here on Sunday.

ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath found Asif guilty of breaching Rule C1 of the ICC Code which states: "Players and/or Team Officials shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game", during Pakistan's 98-run win against Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Asif reacted aggressively when he dismissed Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

The Pakistani bowler admitted the charge after viewing footage of the incident in which he postured in an aggressive manner after bowling Jayawardene.

Explaining the decision, Srinath said in an ICC statement: "There is nothing wrong with being fired up as a bowler, but Asif's aggressive reaction crossed the line of what is acceptable by showing disrespect to an opponent.

"It sent out the wrong message to the many people watching the match either at the ground or on television and everyone has to be aware that such behaviour has no place on the cricket field where players must always seek to act as role models," he added.

Srinath said he took into account Asif's disciplinary record, which has been "pretty good so far in his career" and chose only to reprimand him.

ANI