Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga found himself in trouble over his unsatisfactory behaviour with the umpire during the third T20I against Afghanistan.
In a major controversy that took place during the third T20I, the square-leg umpire Hannibal didn’t give an above-waist-high full-toss a no-ball and deemed it as a legal delivery.
It had a great impact on the match as Sri Lanka lost the encounter by just three runs. However, Hasaranga’s on-field antics were much criticized as he made some controversial statements while expressing his displeasure at the umpire’s decision.
In an official statement, the International Cricket Council has now confirmed that the Sri Lankan spinner has been suspended for two international matches as he accumulated a total of five demerit points within 24 months.
Wanindu Hasaranga To Miss Two T20I Against Bangladesh
In the latest incident, he breached ICC’s Code of Conduct, which resulted in him being served with a 50-percent fine and three demerit points.
“Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match’,” the ICC release stated.
“Hasaranga’s five demerit points convert to two suspension points. As two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first for the player or player support personnel,” the release elaborated.
Hasaranga will now miss the first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month.
Talking about that game, Sri Lanka needed 19 runs off the final over to win the match. Kamindu Mendis hit two fours off the first three balls as the equation came down to 11 needed off three balls.
The fourth ball bowled by Momand was a high full toss over the waist height. But the square leg umpire deemed it as a legal delivery, which led to a big controversy in the match. The last ball went for a six but still, Sri Lanka fell three runs short of the target.
Sri Lanka is set to face Bangladesh next in three T20Is, two ODIs and two Tests. The tour will begin with the first T20I of the series, due to be played on 4th March 2024 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet.
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