# New ICC rules: five-run penalty for time wasting from Pakistan vs Sri Lanka on 9 October

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/new-icc-rules-five-run-penalty-for-time-wasting-pakistan-first-series)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 1 Oct 2026
Updated: 1 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 1 Oct 2026

> Batters who are repeatedly not ready to face now cost five runs after two warnings. Overthrows, run-outs and pink balls also change, and Pakistan's home season is the first test.

**New ICC rules** that took effect on **1 October 2026** mean a batter who keeps the bowler waiting can now cost his side **five penalty runs**. The changes apply in men's and women's international cricket to every series that **starts on or after 1 October**, so the first Pakistan men's matches played under them will be the **T20Is against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi from 9 October**, followed by the ODI tri-series with England and Sri Lanka from 18 October. Series already running, including the Asian Games, stay under the old conditions.

## The five-run penalty: how it works

The ICC already sets a time within which an incoming or existing batter must be ready to face. The new playing condition adds a ladder of sanctions for the batting side when that time is missed:

1. **First offence:** a warning.
2. **Second offence:** a final warning.
3. **Third offence and every one after:** **five penalty runs to the fielding side.**

The rule is aimed at the batting side. Fielding sides already face a stop clock between overs in white-ball cricket, with five-run penalties for repeated breaches, so time-wasting now carries a run cost at both ends. In a tight T20 chase in Rawalpindi, five runs is more than a boundary.

## Other changes in the new ICC playing conditions

- **Overthrows, defined.** A run only counts as an overthrow when the fielder was trying to hit the stumps to stop runs or to run a batter out. A simple misfield that runs away is no longer an overthrow.
- **When the ball is "finally settled".** Umpires now decide when the ball is dead; it no longer has to be back in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper.
- **Held in hand.** For a run-out or stumping, the fielder must have **complete control** of the ball when breaking the stumps. Brushing it on the way through is not enough.
- **Pink ball in day Tests.** Teams can agree before a Test to use the pink ball in daytime to cut bad-light stoppages. The choice is fixed for the whole match; no switching midway.
- **Separate ball specifications** for men's, women's and junior cricket, with tighter tolerances.

## What it means for Pakistan fans

Pakistan's home season is the first test. The Sri Lanka T20Is run from 9 to 13 October in Rawalpindi ([tickets from Rs 300](/news/cricket/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-tickets)), then Pakistan meet England and Sri Lanka twice each in the ODI tri-series in Rawalpindi and Lahore ([full tri-series schedule](/news/cricket/pakistan-tri-series-schedule-results)). The Tests against Sri Lanka in November would be the first in Pakistan where the pink-ball option is available, if both boards agree.

The Asian Games final against India on Saturday (10am PKT) is played under the old conditions, because the tournament began before 1 October. Fixtures and live scores are in our [cricket match centre](/cricket-today).

## Quick answers

- **Who gets the five runs?** The fielding side.
- **Is there a warning first?** Yes, two: a warning and then a final warning.
- **Does it apply to the Asian Games?** No. Only to series that start on or after 1 October 2026.

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the new ICC five-run penalty?**

From series starting on or after 1 October 2026, if a batter is not ready to face within the set time, the umpires give a warning, then a final warning, and award five penalty runs to the fielding side for the third and every later offence.

**When will the new ICC rules first apply to Pakistan?**

In the T20I series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi from 9 October 2026. The Asian Games, which started earlier, stay under the old rules.

## Sources

- ICC brings in new rules to Playing Conditions covering time-wasting, ball specifications and fielding rules (1 Oct 2026) (ANI): https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/cricket/icc-brings-in-new-rules-to-playing-conditions-covering-time-wasting-ball-specifications-and-fielding-rules20261001175748/
- Batters face five-run penalty for time wasting in new ICC playing conditions (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.cricinfo.com/story/batters-face-five-run-penalty-for-time-wasting-in-new-icc-playing-conditions-1556758
- PCB reveals ticket prices for series against Sri Lanka, England (ARY News): https://arynews.tv/pcb-reveals-ticket-prices-for-series-against-sri-lanka-england

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