Afghan all-rounder punished by ICC; arguing with umpire proved costly
Afghanistan's star all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has suffered a major setback during the T20 World Cup 2026. Nabi has been heavily fined.
Afghan all-rounder punished by ICC; Following the defeat in the Group D match against South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, bad news has come for the Afghanistan team. The ICC has taken strict action against the team's experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi for violating the Code of Conduct and has been fined 15 percent of his match fee. The ICC stated that Nabi violated Article 2.4 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Support Staff, which relates to disobeying an umpire's instructions during an international match. One demerit point has also been added to Nabi's disciplinary record for this offense. This is his first offense in the last 24 months.
Nabi admitted his mistake
However this incident happened at the 14th over of Afghanistan's innings. Nabi engaged in a argument with the umpires over the wristband of South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi. During this time, a case of disobeying umpires' instructions was discovered, following which action was taken against him. Nabi accepted the sanction proposed by match referee David Gilbert, thus avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Jayaraman Madangopal and Sharfudullah Ibne Shahid, third umpire Nitin Menon, and fourth umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan.
Watch the incident that saw Mohammad Nabi sanctioned by the ICC during Afghanistan's game against South Africa at the #T20WorldCup 🎥https://t.co/R1Uk0VKj8u
— ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2026
Afghanistan seeks first win
The minimum sanction under the ICC's Level 1 category is an official reprimand, while the maximum punishment is a fine of 50 percent of the match fee and one or two demerit points. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two suspension points mean suspension from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20I matches, whichever comes first. Demerit points remain on a player's record for 24 months, after which they are removed. This action against Afghanistan's star player comes at a time when the team is already finding its rhythm in the tournament. It remains to be seen how Nabi and his team will recover from this setback and bounce back in the upcoming matches.
