AFGH vs WI 1st T20I: Windies star suspended for tampering the ball

AFGH vs WI 1st T20I: Windies have suffered a massive setback ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan. Their star batsman Nicholas Pooran has been handed four suspension points after admitting breaching level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the 3rd ODI match against Afghanistan at Lucknow on Monday. Pooran will miss the next four T20I games for the Windies and will have five demerit points added to his record.

In the footage, Pooran is seen scratching the surface of the ball with his thumbnail. It violates Article 2.14 of the code, which relates to “changing the condition of the ball.”

Pooran on the incident

“I recognise that I made an extreme error in judgement and I fully accept the ICC penalty. I want to assure everyone that this is an isolated incident and it will not be repeated.

I want to issue a sincere apology to my teammates, supporters and the Afghanistan team for what transpired on the field of play on Monday in Lucknow. I recognise that I made an extreme error in judgement and I fully accept the ICC penalty. I want to assure everyone that this is an isolated incident and it will not be repeated. I promise to learn from this and come back stronger and wiser.”