LAHORE: Multan Sult­ans’ team manager Haider Azhar has been handed a one-match suspension for a Level 3 breach he committed during the final of the the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) final at the Gaddafi Stadium last Saturday.

The breach relates to the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

“I hope this sanction will act as a deterrent and every player and pla­yer support personnel will continue to respect the umpiring decisions and avoid unnecessary provocations.”

“Haider was found to have violated article 2.13, which relates to personal abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during a PSL match,” a PCB annou­ncement made on Thursday said.

“The incident occurred after the end of the PSL 8 final when Haider confronted the on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz and abused Wharf. Haider contested the sanction imposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama, but it was upheld after a hearing took place in the PCBBoard Room,” the announcement added.

Sultans, who qualified for a PSL final for the consecutive third time, lost the the match by just one run after a nerve-breaking clash which could go either way.

Mahanama regretted the incident marred the otherwise excellent event.

“It is truly disappointing that this outstanding tournament has ended with a team manager’s misdemeanour getting him banned for a match. Haider Azhar’s actions were totally against the values and spirit of this beautiful game and it is my responsibility to make sure such transgressions are dealt with firmly,” Mahanama said.

The charge was levelled by Wharf, Rashid, third umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi,” the PCB announ­cement concluded.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2023