NEW DELHI: South African spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was reprimanded and handed one demerit point by the ICC on Saturday for breaching its Level 1 Code of Conduct during the women’s World Cup match against India.

South Africa had defeated India by three wickets in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, handing Harmanpreet Kaur and her team their first loss of the tournament.

"Mlaba was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match'," an ICC media release stated.

The incident took place in the 17th over of India's innings, when Mlaba, after dismissing Harleen Deol, waved goodbye to the batter - a gesture that could have provoked an aggressive reaction.

"In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Mlaba's disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period," the ICC said.

Mlaba admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Trudy Anderson of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton, third umpire Candace le Borde and fourth umpire Sue Redfern.

"Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points," the ICC said.