Fined 50% of Match Fees and Given Three Demerit Points

Pakistan allrounder Khushdil Shah has been penalized for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch. As a result, he has been fined 50% of his match fees and received three demerit points. This marks his first offense in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the eighth over of Pakistan’s innings when Khushdil struck the third delivery from Foulkes past mid-on. While running, he collided with the bowler—who had his back turned—making contact with his left shoulder. The on-field umpire addressed the matter with Khushdil after the batters completed two runs.

Since Khushdil accepted the penalties imposed by the umpires and match referee Jeff Crowe, a formal hearing was not required.

Despite being Pakistan’s top scorer with 32 off 30 balls, Khushdil received little support from the other end, and the team was dismissed for just 91 runs. New Zealand’s openers, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, comfortably chased the target in 10.1 overs, securing a 1-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan has introduced a revamped squad for the New Zealand tour, opting to drop senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in favor of a more aggressive, high-risk approach. The team will look to bounce back in the second T20I in Dunedin.

Following the five-match T20I series, both teams will also compete in three ODIs.