Mlaba Receives Demerit Point for Waving Off Harleen Deol After Dismissal

Mlaba Receives Demerit Point for Waving Off Harleen Deol After Dismissal

South Africa’s left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has been officially reprimanded and handed a demerit point by the ICC for breaching the Code of Conduct during her side’s Women's World Cup clash against India.

The incident took place in the 17th over of India's innings, when Mlaba dismissed Indian batter Harleen Deol and followed it up by waving her off the field. The ICC, in a statement released on Saturday, said the gesture “could have provoked an aggressive response” from the departing batter.

Mlaba was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an international match.”

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Jacqueline Williams and Kim Cotton, with support from third umpire Candace Le Borde and fourth umpire Sue Redfern. Mlaba admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Trudy Anderson, negating the need for a formal hearing.

In addition to the official reprimand, Mlaba has been handed one demerit point. These demerit points remain on a player’s record for a period of 24 months. Accumulating four or more within that timeframe can lead to suspension—one Test or two ODIs or T20Is, depending on the format of the player's next matches.

The incident slightly overshadowed what was otherwise a strong performance from Mlaba, who finished with figures of 2 for 46. South Africa eventually went on to win a last-over thriller, chasing down India’s 252 to notch up their second win in three World Cup games.

Key Points:

  • Offence: Breach of ICC Code of Conduct (Article 2.5)

  • Incident: Waved off Harleen Deol after dismissing her

  • Sanction: One demerit point and an official reprimand

  • Implication: Four demerit points within 24 months could lead to suspension

Mlaba and South Africa will look to keep their momentum going as the World Cup campaign heats up, with discipline—on and off the field—likely to remain a focal point.