Naseem Shah penalised after on-field clash with Kieron Pollard

Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has been fined for breaching the ICC code of conduct during the final of the International League T20 (ILT20), 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday. 

Representing Desert Vipers, the 22-year-old pacer was found guilty of a Level 1 offence during the ILT20 Season 4 final against MI Emirates, played on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

As a result, Naseem Shah was fined 10 per cent of his match fee.

According to officials, Naseem violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to using language, actions, or gestures that provoke or insult a batter after their dismissal or during play.

HEATED MOMENT BETWEEN NASEEM SHAH & POLLARD IN ILT20 FINAL pic.twitter.com/dUuXWLkt5g

— junaiz (@dhillow_) January 4, 2026

The incident occurred in the 11th over of the MI Emirates innings when captain Kieron Pollard defended a delivery from Naseem Shah, with the ball returning straight to the bowler.

Naseem picked up the ball and smiled while looking towards Pollard, prompting an aggressive reaction from the West Indies all-rounder.

A heated exchange followed, with both players moving close to each other.

 Pollard appeared visibly angry, while Naseem was also seen responding.

Umpires and Desert Vipers players intervened, preventing the situation from escalating further, though both players remained displeased.

Naseem Shah later had the final word on the field, dismissing Pollard on the first ball of the 16th over.

Despite the on-field confrontation, Desert Vipers went on to defeat MI Emirates by 46 runs, clinching their maiden ILT20 title in a historic final.