Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has been cleared to play in the tri-series final against Australia after escaping a suspension because of an administrative blunder by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Under ICC rules, Inzamam should have incurred an automatic ban after he was found guilty of time wasting in Pakistan's win over West Indies in Perth on Tuesday.
However, the Pakistan skipper was let off with a fine after the ICC match referee Chris Broad admitted to an error during the disciplinary proceedings.
"In applying the provisions of the ICC Code, I neglected to consult Inzamam's past record," Broad said in a statement.
"It was an honest mistake and the matter has been dealt with."
Inzamam was charged with a Level 2 offence for his team's slow over rates in the match with West Indies but under ICC regulations the charge should have been upgraded because it was his second offence in the past 12 months.
A Level 3 charge carries an automatic ban but the ICC said there would be no retrospective suspension because it was their mistake.
"Under the provisions of the ICC Code, Inzamam's penalty should have been upgraded to a Level 3 offence which carries an automatic ban as this was his second breach of this particular Level 2 provision in a 12-month period," the statement said.
{{/usCountry}}"Under the provisions of the ICC Code, Inzamam's penalty should have been upgraded to a Level 3 offence which carries an automatic ban as this was his second breach of this particular Level 2 provision in a 12-month period," the statement said.
{{/usCountry}}"This was not the case but in fairness to the player the hearing will not be re-opened. The original penalty imposed will stand and no further action will be taken."
Pakistan won the game by 30 runs to reach the best-of-three tournament final against Australia.
The opening match will be played in Melbourne on Friday with the second game in Sydney on Sunday. If the series is tied, a deciding match will be played in Melbourne on Tuesday.