PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Pakistan’s fast bowling duo of Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad were handed a demerit point each for aggressive celebrations during the first Test against West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Shahzad was also fined 15 per cent of his match fee, while Abbas was handed an official reprimand for breaching Article 2.5 of the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal”.

Shahzad was fined for celebrating aggressively close to dismissed batter Shai Hope during the 17th over of the West Indies’ second innings, an action deemed capable of provoking an aggressive reaction.

Abbas was penalised for celebrating in an animated manner near dismissed batter Jomel Warrican, the final wicket of the innings.

Both players accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, and there was no need for formal hearings.

It was both players’ first offence in the last 24 months. When a player accumulates four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned.

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.