South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for paying tribute to singer-turned-evangelist Junaid Jamshed, who died last month. The Pakistan-born tweaker, after dismissing Asela Gunaratne in the second Twenty20I against Sri Lanka, paid tribute to Jamshed by lifting his shirt and revealing the picture of the religious preacher.

The governing body of the game, on Wednesday (January 25), announced that the spinner was reprimanded after he was found guilty of breaking the Section G1 of the ICC Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations.

The Section G1 states:

“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”.

The release stated:

“Imran Tahir has been reprimanded for displaying a personal message without seeking prior approval from his home as well as the ICC during the second Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.”

The bowler has admitted the offence and has accepted the sanction proposed by the ICC and so there was no need for a formal adjudication.

Meanwhile, the Proteas have lost the three-match T20 series by 2-1. The two teams will now lock horns in the upcoming five-match ODI series beginning on January 28.