Tahir fined over spat with Warner during Cape Town ODI

South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been fined 30 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the side's 31-run win in the fifth and final ODI against Australia in Cape Town last evening.

During Australia's run-chase, Tahir displayed a lack of respect for the umpires when he kept on ignoring their request to stop engaging with David Warner despite being warned by the umpires.

His behaviour was, therefore, deemed as conduct that was contrary to the spirit of the game.

Tahir was found to have violated Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game".

In accordance with Article 7.3 of the revised Code, which came into effect on September 22, in addition to the sanction imposed for his breach of Article 2.1.1, two demerit points have been added to Tahir's disciplinary record.

Pursuant to the Article 7.6 of the Code, if Tahir reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, his demerit points will be converted into, at least, two suspension points which will equate to a ban from his next match or matches. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

All level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official warning, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.

After the match, Tahir pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Shaun George and Joel Wilson, third umpire Nigel Llong and fourth official Adrian Holdstock.

Image: South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir bowls

Photograph: BCCI