Message for a Dead man

South Africa’s Imran Tahir has been reprimanded for displaying a personal message on his clothing without seeking prior approval from his home board and the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the second Twenty20 International of the series against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Sunday.


The player, who was born in Pakistan, paid tribute to Junaid Jamshed, a Pakistani recording artist, television personality, fashion designer, occasional actor, singer-songwriter, preacher and televangelist, who died in a plane crash a month ago. After trapping Asela Gunaratne LBW, Tahir lifted his jersey in celebration to reveal a portrait of the now dead man which was printed on his undershirt.


Relevant ICC regulations say in part: “Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment (“Personal Messages”) unless approved in advance by both the player or team official’s Board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes”.


Tahir admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the ICC and, as such, there was no need for a formal adjudication.