WC 2015 AUS vs PAK: Wahab Riaz, Shane Watson fined for World Cup clash
Adelaide: Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz was fined 50 per cent of his match fee while Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was penalised 15 per cent of his after their angry clash in Friday’s World Cup quarterfinal.
Wahab was charged with using obscene language, while Watson was accused of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game when the two faced each other down in a compelling passage of play during Australia's six-wicket win at the Adelaide Oval.
#AUS win! What a night! Australia march onto a semifinal showdown vs #IND! SCORECARD: http://t.co/tT278siKcF #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/axLemRLd4v
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 20, 2015"The incident happened in the 33rd over of Australia's innings when Watson ignored the umpires' instructions and verbally engaged with Wahab, who, at the end of the over, followed through towards the batsman and used aggressive and abusive language," said an International Cricket Council statement.
Shane Watson fined 15% and Wahab Riaz 50% for breaching ICC Code of Conduct. http://t.co/B4X9mQ4uKS #CWC15
— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) March 21, 2015"Both the players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing," the statement added.
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle said, "It was an enthralling contest between Shane and Wahab, but in the closing stages of the match both players crossed that fine line between intense competition and unacceptable behaviour, and this resulted in the sanctions."
Australia will face defending champions India in a second semifinal in Sydney on Thursday.
