Azhar Ali fined full match fee for slow over-rate

Islamabad - Pakistan stand-in Test captain Azhar Ali was fined his full match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test against New Zealand on Tuesday.

Pakistan lost its last nine wickets in the last session to lose in Hamilton by 138 runs and also lost the two-match series 2-0.

The ICC said match referee Richie Richardson imposed the fine on Azhar after Pakistan was ruled to be five overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

Pakistan team players were also fined 20 percent of their match fees. The ICC also said that Azhar pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanctions.

Azhar replaced regular captain Misbah-ul-Haq for the second Test after the ICC suspended Misbah for one Test match for maintaining a slow over-rate during Pakistan's first Test loss in Christchurch. Misbah was banned for one Test match because it was his second offense during the 12-month period.

Misbah would have missed the second Test in any case as he flew back home because of death of his father-in-law.