Ishant, Kamran fined for verbal face-off during 1st T20

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday penalised Indian pacer Ishant Sharma and Pakistan batsman Kamran Akmal for an altercation during the opening Twenty20 International between the arch-rivals in Bangalore.

While Akmal was penalised 5 per cent of his match fee after he pleaded guilty to breaches of Article 2.1.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, Sharma had to forgo 15 per cent of his match fee for the incident that happened in the 18th over of the Pakistan innings.

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After reviewing the evidence and the video footage, match referee Roshan Mahanama re-confirmed that Sharma initiated the incident, which was reported by all four umpires. Thus, a penalty of 15 per cent of the match fee was imposed on him.

"The game was played in the true spirit till this incident was initiated by Ishant, who is an experienced cricketer, which led to the umpires and his team mates having to intervene," Mahanama said in a statement.

The two players got into an argument when Akmal was declared not out after he was caught off a no ball by Ishant, and was beaten off the next ball.

Soon both the players exchanged words and wagged fingers at each other. Finally, the ground umpires and the Indian players had to intervene and separate the duo.

Photograph: BCCI