SHARJAH: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday fined left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz and opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad with 40 per cent and 30 per cent of their match fees respectively for ‘inappropriate physical contact’.

Riaz was representing Peshawar Zalmi and Shehzad was playing for Quetta Gladiators during the 17th Pakistan Super League (PSL) match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Gladiators, batting first, sent Shehzad and Asad Shafiq as their openers.

Shehzad was looking in a good form and all set for a big innings until Wahab got rid of his middle stump after getting smashed for a mighty six in the fifth over.

The wicket followed an exchange of harsh words between the bowler and the batsman.

TV replays showed Wahab provoking Shehzad by passing on ‘inappropriate’ comments, to which the batsman reacted by colliding into the bowler, crossing a fine line between intense competition and unacceptable behaviour.

The scuffle was, however, neutralised on the spot and was soon overshadowed as Zalmi skipper Shahid Afridi brought himself into the attack and wreaked havoc on Gladiators with bowling figures 4-1-7-5.

Match referee Roshan Mahnama issued a warning and fined both the players for violating clause 2.2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play”.

While the other teams have experienced mixed fortunes, the Shahid Afridi and the Sarfraz Ahmed-led sides have continued to march on to be among the top two PSL sides so far.

Afridi — the king of Sharjah