The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) penalised Multan Sultans all-rounder Kieron Pollard for violating the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Staff during his team’s match against Lahore Qalandars on Saturday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pollard — who gave a heated send-off to Qalandars’ Abdullah Shafique – broke Article 2.5, which forbids the employment of “language, actions or gestures which denigrate or which could induce a hostile reaction from a batter upon his/her removal during a match”.

“The incident occurred in the 13th over of the first innings when Pollard signalled towards the pavilion in a clear gesture of send-off after taking Abdullah Shafique’s catch off his own bowling,” the PCB said in a press release.

The statement went on to say: “Pollard accepted the sentence proposed by match referee Muhammad Javed Malik after pleading guilty to the offence. On-field umpires Martin Saggers and Faisal Afridi, third umpire Ahsan Raza, and fourth umpire Shozab Raza all levelled the accusation.”

It should be noted that after defeating Sultans by 21 runs, Qalandars became the first team to qualify for the PSL playoffs.

Sultans were held to 159-7 in 20 overs while chasing a 181-run goal.

Pollard hit 39 runs in 28 balls, but it was unable to get the Sultans over the line.

The PSL 8 final and closing ceremony will take place on March 19 in Qalandars, which will also host play-offs.

The winner will not only receive the Supernova Trophy, but also a cheque for Rs120 million, while the runners-up will receive a payment for Rs48 million.

Lahore Qalandars will try to become the first team to win back-to-back championships, while Islamabad United will try to become the most successful team by winning the trophy three times.