COLOMBO, Oct 5: Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for failing to show due respect to the umpires during his team’s World Twenty20 semi-final defeat by Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement that Umar, who was the non-striker, ignored the requests of both on-field umpires and proceeded to change his batting gloves during the 17th over of Pakistan’s innings.

“Respect for the umpires is integral and is something which we always emphasise and encourage,” said match referee Jeff Crowe.

“In this incident, Umar showed blatant disregard to both the umpires’ requests, which was offensive and unacceptable from an international cricketer and contrary to our unique spirit, hence a level-two charge was laid.

“Umar, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his action.”

Umar was found to have breached the ICC code of conduct, article 2.2.11, which relates to “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game”.—Agencies