In a rain-soaked thriller at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Pakistan’s experienced 33-year-old opening batter Sidra Amin lit up the chase with a gritty half-century, yet her day ended in disappointment as the ICC slapped her with an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the Code of Conduct during the first ODI against South Africa on February 15.
South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, is hosting Pakistan, captained by Fatima Sana, in a white-ball series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs. The hosts clinched the T20I leg 2-1 before storming to a 37-run victory in the rain-curtailed opener. Sidra Amin, coming in at number 3 in the second innings, smashed a brilliant 68 off 69 balls, adorned with nine boundaries, to keep Pakistan in the hunt, but her dismissal sparked the flashpoint.
The breach fell under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, pertaining to the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.” In the 24th over of Pakistan’s innings, a fired-up Amin slammed her bat into the ground after walking off, drawing immediate scrutiny. On-field umpires Kerrin Klaaste and Nimali Perera, third umpire Lauren Agenbag, and fourth umpire Stacy Lackay lodged the charge.
This marks Sidra Amin’s second offence within a 24-month window; her first demerit point came during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash against India on October 5, pushing her disciplinary tally to two. She promptly admitted the offence and accepted the sanction from Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees member Shandrè Fritz, avoiding a formal hearing. Level 1 breaches mandate a minimum official reprimand, with penalties capped at 50% of match fees and one or two demerit points.
Amin’s knock underscored her class as a mainstay in Pakistan’s top order, blending resilience with boundary-hitting flair amid testing conditions. Yet the reprimand serves as a stark reminder of the fine line elite athletes tread between passion and protocol. As the 2nd ODI is already underway between these two sides at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, Pakistan will lean on her experience to level the series in the run chase.
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