LAHORE, Oct 11: Match-referee Alan Hurst penalised Pakistan opener and vice-captain Salman Butt, 50 per cent of his match fees, for criticising the decision of umpires in the media during the ongoing second Test between Pakistan and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Salman in the post-day play on third day had said that unluckily some decisions of the umpires went against Pakistan in the Karachi and Lahore Tests, among which he cited his own case, in the first Test and that of Mohammad Yousuf in the second as examples.

The referee considered it a Level-II offence and held a hearing after the fourth day of the second Test on Thursday.

Pakistan team manager Talat Ali Malik appeared with Salman in the hearing.