South Africa's Faf du Plessis fined 50 per cent of match fee for ball tampering

South Africa's Faf du Plessis on Saturday escaped with only a fine of 50 percent of his match fee for ball tampering during the second cricket test against Pakistan.

Du Plessis was seen on television Friday evening rubbing the ball on the zipper of his trouser pocket and the on field umpires called up captain Graeme Smith, changed the ball and awarded Pakistan 5 penalty runs.

Du Plessis was spotted by TV umpire Paul Reiffel from Australia, who informed the on-field umpires to take necessary action against the player.

The onfield umpires, Ian Gould and Rod Tucker, reported the incident to match referee David Boon soon after the third day's play and du Plessis was summoned for the hearing.

"After discussions with Mr du Plessis ... this was not part of a deliberate and/or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball," Boon said in a statement as he handed the fine to du Plessis before the start of fourth day's play. "The imposition of a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee is appropriate considering the circumstances."

Du Plessis is the first South African to be charged for ball tampering, but former Pakistan players criticized the ICC for showing leniency to the South Africa's 29-year-old batsman.

AP