Ahmedabad: Afghan veteran Mohammad Nabi has been penalized 15% of his match fee for challenging an official's directive during his team’s dramatic T20 World Cup defeat to South Africa, cricket’s governing body announced Thursday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that the all-rounder sparked a lengthy confrontation with the umpiring crew at the beginning of the 14th over. The dispute reportedly centred on a wristband worn by South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.

"Nabi was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'Disobeying an Umpire's instruction during an International Match,'" an official ICC release confirmed.

In addition to the financial fine, the 41-year-old was assessed one demerit point. It marks his first such violation within the last two years.

"Nabi admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Gilbert of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing," the statement continued.

The disciplinary charges were filed by on-field officials Jayaraman Madanagopal and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, alongside third umpire Nitin Menon and fourth official K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan.

The incident took place during a high-stakes encounter on Wednesday that saw a resilient Afghanistan side finally fall to South Africa after two intense Super Overs, in what many are calling one of the greatest matches in T20 history.

With inputs from PTI