Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir faces strict sanctions after he gave a rude send-off to Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting in the Caribbean Premier League.

Tanvir, playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors, bowled St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ Cutting right after he had been hit for a six. After castling Cutting with a near-perfect yorker, Tanvir showed the departing batsman two middle fingers, which resulted in outrage on social media.

The CPL is sanctioned by the ICC and the code of conduct for players in clear on actions and words that can provoke a reaction. What Tanvir did was blatant abuse and match officials are expected to take the strictest possible action.

Since bowlers get reprimanded and receive demerit points just for shouting at or near the batsmen, seeing such a shocking gesture is difficult to understand.