Pakistan’s star batter and former captain Babar Azam has been fined 10% of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching its Code of Conduct.

According to the ICC, Babar was found to have violated Article 2.2 of the ICC Code, which covers the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

A demerit point has also been added to his disciplinary record, making it a first offence for Babar in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings when the right-hander hit the stumps with his bat before leaving the crease following his dismissal.

In the match, Babar made 34 off 52 deliveries before being removed by Jeffrey Vandersay.

The charge was upheld by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi, with Ali Naqvi from the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees recommending the sanction.

Babar admitted the offence and accepted the penalty, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. Under ICC rules, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum sanction of an official reprimand, a maximum fine of 50% of a match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Despite Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan completed a series sweep over Sri Lanka, with a six-wicket victory in the final ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic is waiting to see how the club fare this season before signing a new contract, while Barcelona are looking for reinforcements at left back, right back and on the wing. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic has yet to sign a new contract and is keen to wait until the club have sealed qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League before he commits, according to Calciomercato. Pulisic, 27, has a deal which expires in 2027 (with an option to extend by a year) and the United States international has been linked with a return to the Premier League (after his spell with Chelsea) at either Manchester United or Aston Villa.

– Barcelona are considering signing Bayer Leverkusen‘s Alejandro Grimaldo in the summer as they look to strengthen at left back, reports Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona academy star Alejandro Balde, 22, has impressed, but Gerard Martín and Jofre Torrents haven’t made the leap required to challenge him for a starting spot. The Blaugrana could also look at a right back, with Internazionale‘s Denzel Dumfries, Al Hilal‘s João Cancelo and Crystal Palace‘s Daniel Muñoz all linked. Meanwhile, Sport claims that FC Cologne winger Said El Mala is on their radar at around €30 million after he recorded four goals and two assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances this season.

– Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown is on Manchester City‘s shortlist, says Bild. Brown, 22, made his senior debut for the Germany national team in October and has impressed in the Bundesliga this season after joining the club from FC Nürnberg in 2024. City are looking for competition for Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Aït-Nouri on the left side of defense.

– Roma want to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee on loan, but the Red Devils want to include a clause to make the deal permanent for €30 million, reports Corriere dello Sport. AC Milan would also be interested in a deal for the 24-year-old Netherlands international and if they get involved then Roma could turn their attention to Nottingham Forest‘s Arnaud Kalimuendo, Colgone’s Said El Mala, or could activate the €7m release clause for Racing Santander’s Jeremy Arevalo.

– Juventus have joined Manchester City and Real Madrid in the race to sign Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, as reported by Tuttosport, which describes him as “the emerging midfielder of Spanish football.” Mendoza, 29, has been scouted by City and Madrid for some time, with a possible alternative for Juve coming in the form of Lille‘s Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, especially as the two clubs have a positive relationship.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent Sam Marsden on their transfer plans.

It is no secret within the club that Barcelona sporting director Deco has been monitoring the full back market for some time. On the right, Jules Koundé and Eric García have both been converted from center backs to play there, while on the left the options are mostly in-house products in Baldé, Martín and Torrents (Martín signed from local club Cornellà in 2023).

There have been times when Koundé and Baldé have both been best in class, but as Barça have toiled defensively this season, neither has excelled. That has once again forced Deco to consider Barça’s options, with sources explaining to ESPN that the club do not necessarily want to replace either player, but feel there is at the very least the need to create some internal competition.

On the left, Grimaldo is an obvious candidate given his links to Barça in the past. The Spain international will move into the final year of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen next summer, which should make him an affordable option — which is always an important factor when assessing Barça’s potential targets. That said, it will still depend on where the club prioritise spending next year as they also eye improvements in the middle of the back four and in attack.

And with no natural right back at the club — although Koundé is pretty established there now — it would not be a surprise if Barça move for two full backs next year, if the right options are available. In addition to the aforementioned Dumfries, Cancelo and Muñoz, ESPN has also previously revealed that Deco is a long-term fan of Monaco’s Vanderson, although he is currently injured.

OTHER RUMORS

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Laurens: Losing Gabriel Magalhães is the last thing Arsenal want

Julien Laurens gives an update on Gabriel Magalhães’ fitness as the Arsenal defender was taken off during Brazil’s game vs. Senegal.

– Liverpool could move for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo to help replace Mohamed Salah while he is at the Africa Cup of Nations for Egypt in December and January. (Liverpool Echo)

– Juventus’ contract talks with Kenan Yildiz have stalled amid interest from Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea. (Ekrem Konur)

– Lazio are considering Torino’s Ivan Ilic, Tromso’s Jens Hjerto-Dahl and a loan for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo as they aim to bring in a midfielder in January. (Corriere dello Sport)

– Tottenham Hotspur could miss out on Ademola Lookman with Atalanta keen to keep the forward now that Ivan Juric has departed. (TEAMtalk)

– David Alaba has received offers from the Middle East but maintains hope that Real Madrid will opt to renew his contract for another year. (AS)

– Leeds United are showing an interest in AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, 22, who scored a hat trick against Hungary in the 96th minute to take the Republic of Ireland to the World Cup playoff. (TEAMtalk)

– Juventus are monitoring 20-year-old AS Monaco center back Christian Mawissa. (Nicolo Schira)

– Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have joined Newcastle United in trying to sign midfielder James Garner, whose contract with Everton expires in the summer. (Football Insider)

– Aston Villa are looking at Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of January and feel that he could replace Emiliano Martinez. (Football Insider)

– Manchester United are working on a potential January move for Tyrell Malacia, who has interest from Saudi Arabia, Spain and Italy. (Rudy Galetti)

– Eintracht Frankfurt have a concrete interest in 18-year-old Werder Bremen center back Karim Coulibaly, who has also been the topic of enquiries from “all major German clubs.” (Florian Plettenberg)

– West Ham United striker Niklas Fullkrug isn’t interested in joining another Premier League club with Fulham having been linked. Wolfsburg and Hamburg are leading options but there is also interest from Italy. (TEAMtalk)

– Brentford have shown an interest in 20-year-old Lecce center back Tiago Gabriel. (Nicolo Schira)

– Manchester City are considering terminating Claudio Echeverri’s loan with Bayer Leverkusen. (Kicker)

– Juventus are considering letting goalkeeper Mattia Perin leave without replacing him, with Genoa thinking about making a move. (Tuttosport)

– Giuliano Simeone is one step away from renewing his Atletico Madrid contract until 2030. (Nicolo Schira)

– Sporting CP want Al Nassr winger Wesley and the Saudi Arabian club are open to a deal worth between €10 million-€15 million. (Ekrem Konur)