ACC Premier Cup final: Adeeb, Khuzaima, Paudel fined for ICC code breaches
Synopsis
Three players — UAE's Adeeb Usmani and Khuzaima Tanveer, and Nepal captain Rohit Paudel — were fined after separate on-field flashpoints in the ACC Men's Premier Cup final. All admitted guilt, avoiding hearings, but each now carries a demerit point that could matter if indiscipline recurs within the next 24 months.
Key Takeaways
Adeeb Usmani (UAE) and Rohit Paudel (Nepal) were each fined 15% of their match fees for failing to comply with umpires' instructions during the 31st over of Nepal's innings.
Khuzaima Tanveer (UAE) was fined 10% of his match fee for striking the stumps with his bat after his dismissal in the 46th over .
All three breaches were classified as Level 1 offences under the ICC Code of Conduct .
One demerit point was added to each player's disciplinary record; none had prior offences in the previous 24 months .
All three players admitted guilt; sanctions were accepted without a formal hearing, proposed by match referee Ali Naqvi .
Under ICC rules, accumulating four demerit points within 24 months can trigger a match ban.
UAE cricketers Adeeb Usmani and Khuzaima Tanveer, along with Nepal captain Rohit Paudel, have been handed financial penalties for separate Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men's Premier Cup final played in Kuala Lumpur. The disciplinary action, confirmed on 15 September 2026, follows incidents that occurred during the high-stakes final between the two sides.
The Usmani-Paudel Confrontation
Usmani and Paudel were each fined 15 per cent of their match fees after being found guilty of breaching Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct — which covers failure to comply with an umpire's instruction during an international match. The incident took place in the 31st over of Nepal's innings, when the two players became involved in a heated on-field exchange and failed to respond to umpires attempting to defuse the situation.
Tanveer's Equipment Abuse Charge
Khuzaima Tanveer faced a separate charge under Article 2.2, which relates to the abuse of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures. The UAE batsman was fined 10 per cent of his match fee after striking the stumps with his bat following his dismissal in the 46th over of his side's innings — a gesture of frustration that drew an immediate charge from the officiating panel.
Demerit Points and Disciplinary Record
In addition to the monetary penalties, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary records of all three players. Notably, none of the three had any prior offence on their records in the preceding 24 months, meaning these are their first disciplinary marks under the current cycle. Under ICC rules, accumulating four or more demerit points within a 24-month window triggers their conversion into suspension points, which can ultimately result in a match ban.
Sanctions Accepted Without Formal Hearing
All three players admitted to their respective offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Ali Naqvi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, making formal hearings unnecessary. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Kalidas Viswanathan and Tabarak Dar, along with reserve umpire Vinod Babu.
What Level 1 Offences Mean
Level 1 breaches under the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum punishment of an official reprimand and can attract a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points. Two suspension points trigger a ban equivalent to one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is — whichever comes first for the player concerned. Demerit points remain active on a player's record for 24 months before being expunged. The swift resolution of all three cases underscores the ACC's intent to maintain on-field discipline at its premier tournaments; all eyes will now be on whether any of the three players attract further sanctions in the months ahead.
Point of View
Suggesting the evidence was unambiguous. The demerit points, while modest in isolation, now sit as live liabilities: a repeat offence by any of these players within 24 months accelerates them toward ban territory. For Paudel in particular, as captain, the optics of a conduct charge carry weight beyond the fine — leadership on and off the field is inseparable at the international level.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Adeeb Usmani and Rohit Paudel fined at the ACC Premier Cup final?
Usmani and Paudel were each fined 15 per cent of their match fees for breaching Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct — failing to comply with umpires' instructions during a heated exchange in the 31st over of Nepal's innings at the ACC Men's Premier Cup final in Kuala Lumpur.
What did Khuzaima Tanveer do to receive his fine?
Khuzaima Tanveer was fined 10 per cent of his match fee after striking the stumps with his bat following his dismissal in the 46th over of UAE's innings. This constituted a breach of Article 2.2, covering abuse of cricket equipment during an international match.
How many demerit points did each player receive, and why does it matter?
Each player received one demerit point, which stays on their disciplinary record for 24 months. Under ICC rules, reaching four or more demerit points within that window triggers conversion into suspension points, which can lead to a match ban.
Did the players face a formal ICC hearing?
No. All three players admitted to their respective offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Ali Naqvi, making a formal hearing unnecessary. This is standard procedure for uncontested Level 1 breaches.
What is a Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct offence?
A Level 1 offence is the least severe category of misconduct under the ICC Code of Conduct. It carries a minimum punishment of an official reprimand and can result in a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
