Image courtesy of: The Express Tribune

“It leaves a big question mark on South Africa’s credibility”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has announced that he is astounded at the 50 per cent match fee fine South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis received after pleading guilty to ball tampering.

Sethi added that the PCB would be writing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi was banned for two Twenty20 Internationals for ball tampering in January 2010.

“PCB is writing letter to ICC seeking explanation of inconsistency by match referee in application of ball tampering rule to Afridi vs Faf,” Sethi said via Twitter.

Legendary Pakistan pace bowler Waqar Younis also believes du Plessis’ punishment was extremely lenient.

“I think, to be very honest, Faf got away with it with just 50% of the match fee,” Younis told ESPNcricinfo at the conclusion of the second Test in Dubai. “I thought it was a bit of frustration from the South Africans, they did not need to do that. It leaves a big question mark on South Africa’s credibility.”

According to the rules, if a player is caught ball tampering, they could be fined 50 to 100 per cent of their match fee and could be banned for one Test or two limited overs matches.

Du Plessis pleaded guilty to ball tampering after he was found to have rubbed the ball near the zip of his trouser pocket.

As a result of du Plessis’ actions, Pakistan were awarded five extra runs.

When asked about his thoughts on the incident, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said: “It has nothing to do with us. It’s between the match officials and their team. It’s none of our business.”