South Africa’s Faf du Plessis on Saturday escaped with only a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee for ball tampering during the second Test against Pakistan.
Du Plessis was seen on television on Friday evening rubbing the ball on the zipper of his trouser pocket and the on field umpires called up captain Graeme Smith, changed the ball and awarded Pakistan 5 penalty runs.
The umpires, Ian Gould and Rod Tucker, reported the incident to match referee David Boon soon after the third day’s play.
Match referee David Boon said in a statement that du Plessis did not contest the charge and “the imposition of fine ... is appropriate considering the circumstances.”
Du Plessis is the first South African to be charged for ball tampering.
