Pakistan have once again been hit with a fine for a slow over-rate

That's a worrying trend for Pakistan — three slow over-rate offences in four ODIs, all against the same opposition (New Zealand). It really highlights a systemic issue, especially when it's not just an isolated match or situation. Here’s a breakdown of the over-rate penalties: 1st ODI vs NZ (Napier) – 2 overs short → fine 2nd ODI vs NZ (Hamilton) – 1 over short → fine 2025 Champions Trophy opener vs NZ – slow over-rate → fine And now, Mohammad Rizwan, as the stand-in captain, has had to plead guilty twice in a row. While the 5% fine per player might seem small, repeated offences raise bigger concerns: Team discipline and time management Captaincy under pressure Lack of urgency in field settings or between overs It also doesn’t help that the performances in those games have been subpar — heavy defeats, batting collapses, and opposition batters running riot (Mitchell Hay’s 99*, Sears’ 5 for 59). So, the slow over-rate just adds to the sense of a team a bit off the boil. What makes it trickier is that over-rate fines can eventually lead to captain suspensions if the offences stack up across series — something Pakistan can’t afford with leadership already under a microscope post-Babar’s tenure shakeup.