The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned Pakistani cricket legend Babar Azam for "abuse of cricket equipment." Before getting removed for a score of 34 in the third ODI, Babar returned to form in the second, scoring a hundred against Sri Lanka. Babar smashed the stumps out of rage after being dismissed, which prompted the apex board to impose a punishment. As a result, the 31-year-old violated Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match." Additionally, Babar's disciplinary record now contains a demerit point, making it his first offense in a 24-month period.

After being dismissed in the series' last ODI on Sunday, Babar smashed the stumps with his bat in the 21st over of Pakistan's innings and then left the crease.
Ali Naqvi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees suggested the penalty, while on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi brought the accusation.

Babar played a key role with the bat, scoring 165 runs, the most in the series, including his 20th ODI century, as Pakistan went on to whitewash Sri Lanka in the series.
With a six-wicket victory in the third match, Pakistan easily chased 212 with 5.2 overs remaining to complete a 3-0 ODI series whitewash against Sri Lanka. Following Haseebullah Khan's 12-ball duck, Fakhar Zaman steadied the chase with a smooth 55 off 45, including eight fours and an 80-run partnership with Babar Azam (34).
Jeffrey Vandersay helped Sri Lanka retaliate by dismissing Fakhar, Babar, and Salman Agha, leaving Pakistan at 115/4. But Hussain Talat (42 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (61 not out) led the home team to victory with an undefeated combination.
The ICC said in a statement that "the Pakistan batter admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction, negating the need for a formal hearing."
Level 1 infractions result in one or two demerit points, a minimum punishment of an official reprimand, and a maximum penalty of fifty percent of a player's match fee.