Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad Receive ICC Demerit Points for Aggressive Celebrations

Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad have each been handed one demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba.

The ICC found both players guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal."

In addition to receiving a demerit point, Shahzad was fined 15 percent of his match fee, while Abbas received an official reprimand for his conduct during the match.

The sanctions were imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe after both players admitted the offences and accepted the proposed penalties, eliminating the need for formal disciplinary hearings.

The incidents mark the first Code of Conduct offences for both Abbas and Shahzad within the past 24 months. Under ICC regulations, a player who accumulates four or more demerit points over a two-year period will have those points converted into suspension points, which can result in a ban from international cricket.

The disciplinary action came after Pakistan suffered a 90-run defeat to the West Indies in the opening Test, with the hosts securing victory inside four days at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

The two teams will now turn their attention to the second and final Test of the series, which is scheduled to be played in Port of Spain from August 2 to August 6.