Zaheer hit with heavy fine

India paceman Zaheer Khan was fined 80% of his match fee for his aggressive celebration of Matthew Hayden’s dismissal in the second Test against Australia at Mohali.

Zaheer pleaded guilty at a hearing in front of match referee Chris Broad after being reported by the on-field umpires during the Test, which India won by 320 runs.

Zaheer was punished for running from his fielding position towards Hayden after the opener’s second-innings dismissal by Harbhajan Singh yesterday, then circling the batsman and shouting at him “in an aggressive manner”.

Zaheer Khan bids Matthew Hayden a none too friendly farewell during the second Test in Mohali

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Broad said: “Clearly, this sort of behaviour is not acceptable at any level of cricket – it showed a lack of respect for the player who had been dismissed.

“Respect for the opposition was something we talked about in the pre-series meeting I had with both captains and so it was disappointing that Zaheer behaved in this way.

“However, in considering the penalty, I took into account the fact that Zaheer had a good disciplinary record. He also pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was very apologetic while also promising not to repeat the offence.”

The left-arm seamer pleaded guilty to a level two offence under the International Cricket Council code of conduct for failing to adhere to the spirit of the game.

Zaheer avoided the maximum penalty of a fine of between 50 and 100% of his match fee and a one-Test ban.