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South Africa star punished by ICC after provocative gesture vs India in Women's WC

Abhinav Tyagi

South Africa women in action - (Source: AFP)South Africa women in action - (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, the ICC has reprimanded South Africa women's star bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba for a provocative gesture against India women in the recently concluded Women's World Cup match.

Notably, India and South Africa met each other on October 9 in Vizag, where the Proteas Women emerged victorious by three wickets. It was another flop show for India at the top, and Mlaba was the key contributor in that, as she took two wickets in the match.

ICC reprimands Mlaba for actions vs Harleen Deol

The right-arm seamer got the crucial wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol, who are tough batters at the top for India. However, after dismissing Deol in the 17th over of the match, Mlaba gave her a send-off. The 25-year-old made a 'goodbye gesture'. 

Harleen didn't find the gesture to be offensive, nor did the fans. However, the gesture has not gone well with the ICC, and they have fined Mlaba with a demerit point. 

"Mlaba was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match,” remarked ICC's press release.

Mlaba handed demerit points by ICC

Mlaba has not been handed any match fees fine, and since it is her first demerit point in 24 months, there is nothing to worry about the South African pacer as she gears up to face Bangladesh women on October 13.

Also, it was not an aggressive send-off, which could have turned chaotic, which is why the ICC just let Nonkululeko Mlaba walk away with a single demerit point and not take any drastic step.