T20WorldCup – Mohammad Nabi Fined After Umpire Dispute in Ahmedabad Clash
T20WorldCup – Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been handed a financial penalty following a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during his side’s Group D fixture against South Africa in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad. The International Cricket Council confirmed that Nabi was fined 15 percent of his match fee after being found in violation of Level 1 regulations.
Disciplinary Action Confirmed by ICC
In an official release, the ICC stated that Nabi had breached Article 2.4 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The article concerns failure to comply with an umpire’s instruction during an international match. The governing body noted that the incident occurred during Afghanistan’s innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Along with the monetary sanction, one demerit point has been added to Nabi’s disciplinary record. It marks his first offence within a 24-month period, meaning there are no additional consequences at this stage.
Level 1 breaches under ICC regulations can result in a reprimand, a fine of up to 50 percent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points, depending on the severity of the offence.
Incident During Afghanistan’s Innings
The matter unfolded at the beginning of the 14th over of Afghanistan’s innings. Nabi was involved in an extended discussion with match officials regarding a wristband worn by South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi. The exchange continued for several moments before play resumed.
On-field umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, along with third umpire Nitin Menon and fourth umpire K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan, levelled the charge against the experienced Afghanistan cricketer.
Nabi accepted responsibility for his actions and agreed to the sanction proposed by match referee David Gilbert of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Because he admitted the offence, a formal disciplinary hearing was not required.
Super Over Drama in Ahmedabad
While the disciplinary matter drew attention, the match itself delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent T20 World Cup history. South Africa edged Afghanistan in a contest that required not one but two Super Overs to determine the winner.
Afghanistan, aiming to strengthen their chances of reaching the Super 8 stage for a second consecutive tournament, faced mounting pressure after suffering their second defeat in the group phase. Despite the setback, the contest showcased their resilience.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a series of attacking innings that kept Afghanistan in contention. His aggressive stroke play in the middle overs helped shift momentum at crucial stages. However, South Africa responded strongly, matching Afghanistan’s intensity as the match headed into a tense finish.
The first Super Over failed to separate the two teams, forcing a rare second Super Over under high-stakes conditions. South Africa ultimately held their nerve to seal victory, closing out the game in front of a packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Impact on Group D Standings
The result leaves Afghanistan with limited margin for error in the remainder of their Group D fixtures. Consecutive defeats have complicated their path to the knockout rounds, though the narrow margin of loss underlines how competitive the side has been throughout the tournament.
For South Africa, the win strengthens their position in the standings and reinforces their reputation for handling pressure in decisive moments. The dramatic outcome is likely to be remembered as one of the standout matches of the 2026 edition of the tournament.
As the T20 World Cup progresses, attention will remain on both teams—Afghanistan for their fight to stay alive in the competition, and South Africa for their ability to deliver under intense pressure.