The ICC rule book says...

ICC Match Referee Chris Broad ruled that Sourav Ganguly had breached Clause C1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, for conduct contrary to the spirit of the game on the basis of time wasting, in relation to India's over rate in the fourth One-Day International against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

At a hearing conducted at the ground after the completion of the match, Ganguly was penalised for India's slow over rate. As this was his second breach of the clause in 12 months, the penalty is automatically upgraded from Level 2 to a Level 3 breach under the ICC Code.

According to the ICC rule book, for a Level 2 offence that the penalty can be a fine of the equivalent between 50 per cent of the player or official's match fee up to their full match fee and/or a one-Test or two One-Day Internationals ban.

But for a level 3 offence, the match referee can ban the player or team official concerned for between two and four Tests or between four and eight ODIs.

In the event of an alleged breach of Rule CC2.10, where it is not possible to identify the particular player(s) who has breached the Rules of Conduct, the team captain may be the person charged and, if appropriate, sanctioned.

The ICC rule book also states that in calculating the minimum over-rate for an ODI match, as determined by the ICC Regulations in force from time to time, the following time allowances shall be made:

a. the actual time taken where treatment is given by authorised medical personnel to a player on the field of play; and

b. the actual time taken for a player to leave the field of play in the event of a serious injury;

c. the actual time taken for third umpire referrals;

d. the actual time lost due to any other circumstances beyond the control of the players.

The over-rate will be calculated at the end of the match by the referee. If the over-rate is calculated as being under the minimum over-rate required by ICC Regulations the following shall apply:

a. as soon as reasonably practicable, the referee shall inform the team captain and/or team manager of the relevant fielding team that the ICC Regulations have been breached and that the prescribed sanction in accordance with Section J 5 (c) shall be applied (subject to Section J 4 (b) ).

b. if, after consultation with the umpires, the referee is of the opinion that the minimum over-rate was not achieved by the fielding team by reason of events beyond its control, including (but not limited to) time wasting by the batting team, the referee shall be entitled to reduce the penalties prescribed in Section J 5 (c) in such manner as in his absolute discretion he thinks fit.

c. in the event of the referee being of the opinion that the conduct of the batting team has prevented the fielding team from bowling the minimum over-rate, the referee is entitled to impose a fine on the batting team, the maximum fine that can be imposed being one in accordance with Section J 5.

Section J 5 of the ICC code of conduct states that

c The referee having determined, at the end of a Test or ODI the over-rates applicable, in the event of the over rate being below that required by ICC Regulations in force from time to time the Referee shall (subject to Section J 4 (b) above) impose the following sanctions at the end of the match:

i for each of the first 5 overs short of the minimum overs required 5% of each player's match fee in the fielding side, in the case of the captain the amount shall be 10% of the match fee;

ii for the sixth and any subsequent over short of the minimum overs required 10% of each player's match fee in the fielding side, in the case of the captain the amount shall be 20% of the match fee;

iii if the over rate is more than 5 overs short of the minimum overs required in a Test or more than 2 overs in an ODI , the captain will in addition to sanctions imposed in accordance with (i) and (ii) be charged under C1 of the Code of Conduct, conduct contrary to the spirit of the game, on the basis of time wasting. (Level 2 offence)

PENALTIES - GENERAL

1. Once the adjudicator has informed the person found to be in breach of the Rules of Conduct of the sanction, if any, he is applying, the adjudicator shall inform the ICC Chief Executive, the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant Home Board and (unless the person charged was the team manager) the team manager in writing of the sanction to be imposed. If the person found in breach of the Rules of Conduct was informed of the sanction orally he shall also be provided with confirmation of the sanction in writing.

2. The adjudicator, in providing the written notification, shall - a clearly identify when any ban commences; b clearly identify any fine ordered to be paid; c clearly identify the name of the person to whom the sanction applies or, in the case of a fine being imposed for breach of ICC Regulations applicable to an entire team, the identity of all persons fined or by reference to whom a cumulative fine has been calculated.

3. All fines shall be paid by the person(s) found to be guilty of a breach of the Rules of Conduct within one calendar month of written notification being given in accordance with Section K 1.

4. Any player or team official fined shall make payment within the period prescribed by Section K 3 to the relevant Home Board who shall be responsible for forwarding such fines to the ICC Chief Executive as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within 31 days of written notification having been given in accordance with Section K 1.

5. If any player or team official fails to pay any fine imposed upon him within the prescribed period that Player's or Team Official's Home Board shall ensure that the relevant player shall not be selected for any Test, ODI or Tour matches until the fine is paid and that any team official shall not be entitled to undertake any of their duties in so far as the same relates to any Test, ODI or Tour matches.

Full list of penalties imposed by ICC for slow over-rates thus far