Can Pakistan be penalized for slowing down the run chase against Zimbabwe?

Fielding first in their last group stage game, the Pakistan U19 bowlers restricted Zimbabwe U19 to just 128 runs. Normally, this would have been a pretty straightforward chase, giving Pakistan a huge Net Run Rate (NRR) boost, in addition to a spot in the Super Sixes. 

Pakistan slowed down to make things easier

However, Pakistan managed to get a third thing: a chance to take their boosted NRR along with them to the next stage. To do this, they slowed down after reaching 84 by the end of the 14th over. The next 36 runs came in 12 overs. The reason behind this was not, by any means, that Pakistan batters suddenly forgot how to bat. Instead, they tactically used the tournament rules to their advantage. 

As per the rules, the NRR and points in matches between qualified teams can be carried over from the group stage to the Super Sixes. Zimbabwe’s defeat in under 25.2 overs would have eliminated them, helping Scotland to reach Super Sixes. In that scenario, Pakistan would have had to carry forward their NRR from Scotland’s game, which was way lower, to the high-stakes round. To avoid that, the team slowed and completed their chase in 26.2 overs. 

Could Pakistan be fined for slowing down?

While Pakistan operated within the rules, under Law 2.11 from the ICC’s Code of Conduct, the side can be penalised for a Level 2 offence for ‘deliberately’ manipulating the outcome of the game. If found guilty, Level 2 penalties could range from a fine of 50 or 100% of the captain’s match fee and/or a two-ODI or one-Test match ban.

Though in practice, it would be hard to say with certainty that Pakistan had slowed down on purpose. 

Former Zimbabwe captain, Andy Flower, who was commentating on the game, said Pakistan’s tactics were ‘cunning’ but ultimately ‘justifiable’

"I thought it was a justifiable tactic on their part," Flower told ESPNcricinfo. "When they go through to the Super Sixes, they will take their net run rate, which will include the Zimbabwe game but doesn't include the Scotland game. That means their net run rate is better than if Scotland went through.

"Some people may question the ethics of that, but I personally don't."

"The last ten overs or so, Pakistan have played a cunning game," he said. "The way Pakistan are going about business, they are probably aware of the fact that if they qualify for the super six along with Zimbabwe, they carry through a better net run rate as opposed to with Scotland.

 

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