UAE penalised five runs for major rule-break

image-lakv2wynNepal levelled the series 1-1 with a three-wicket win (Source: Twitter/@CricketNep)

United Arab Emirates (UAE) were slapped with a five-run penalty on Wednesday as their batter Alishan Sharafu applied saliva on the ball while fielding.

For the unversed, the application of saliva on the ball has been prohibited since the advent of COVID-19 with the International Cricket Council (ICC) permanently restricting its usage under the latest playing conditions that became effective from October 1.

As Sharafu broke the rule, on-field umpires Vinay Kumar and Masudur Rahman awarded Nepal five extra runs which were added to their overall total.

"If the umpires spot someone applying saliva on the ball blatantly, there is no option but to award five penalty runs to the oppositions straight away," a former ICC panel umpire verified the new ruling to ESPNcricinfo.

Nepal bounce back

After losing the first ODI of the three-match series, Nepal came hard at the UAE in the second fixture as the former registered a victory by three wickets.

Chasing 192 runs, Nepal looked under the weather at one stage, however, a 62-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Aarif Sheikh and Gulshan Jha pushed them over the line.

With the series levelled 1-1, the two teams will now meet on November 18 at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.

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