ICC Fines Naseem Shah for Code of Conduct Breach

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has been fined by the ICC for a Level 1 Code of Conduct breach during the International League T20 (ILT20) final.

According to the ILT20, the 22-year-old has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

The article relates to the use of language, actions or gestures that could disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal. Match Referee Simon Taufel imposed the sanction.

“Desert Vipers pacer Naseem Shah has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct following the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Final against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on 4 January,” the ILT20 stated on its official website.

The incident occurred during the ILT20 2025–26 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, involving MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard and Naseem Shah.

The confrontation took place in the 11th over when Naseem bowled a delivery that Pollard defended, sending the ball straight back toward the bowler. Naseem picked up the ball and smiled at Pollard, who reacted aggressively, leading to a heated verbal exchange.

Both players moved closer during the altercation, with Pollard appearing visibly angry while exchanging words with the pacer. The umpires and Desert Vipers batter Jason Roy intervened to separate the two players.

Naseem was also seen responding during the exchange, with both players left visibly upset. He later dismissed Pollard on the first delivery of the 16th over. Pollard scored 28 runs off 28 balls.

Despite the incident, Desert Vipers went on to secure their maiden ILT20 title, defeating MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final. The victory was powered by a disciplined bowling performance led by Naseem Shah and an unbeaten half-century from captain Sam Curran.