Mohammad Asif receives official reprimand for Code of Conduct breach

Pakistan's Mohammad Asif has received an official reprimand for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's ODI against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Asif was found guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game by ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath in a hearing held on Monday morning, the day after Pakistan's 98-run win in the second match of the three-game series.

Asif was found to have breached 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..."

The offence related to the player's reaction when he dismissed Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

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

Explaining the decision, Javagal Srinath said: "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.

"In mitigation, I took into account the fact that Asif's disciplinary record has been pretty good so far in his career and so I chose only to reprimand him.

"However, if he is found guilty of a similar misdemeanour in the next 12 months it will automatically become a Level 2 offence.

"I hope this reprimand serves as a warning to ensure that the players conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times," he added.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Russell Tiffin and Suresh Shastri of the Emirates International Panel and third official Mark Benson, of the Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires.

Javagal Srinath reached his conclusion after a hearing on Monday morning attended by the match officials, the player and Pakistan team manager and acting coach Talat Ali.

For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.

Pakistan leads the three-match series 2-0 after an earlier win by five wickets in the first match, at the same venue last Friday. The final game will take place on Tuesday, starting at 1600 local time, also at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials can be found here: