Wanindu Hasaranga has been fined for criticizing the umpire’s decision publicly. ICC has banned the Sri Lankan T20 captain for two matches. As a result, Hasaranga won’t be able to play the first two T20i matches on their upcoming tour next month due to this leg-spinning all-rounder’s absence.
Wanindu Hasaranga already had two demerit points beside his name. He breached ICC’s Code of Conduct 2.13 in the third and final T20 of the Afghanistan series. He was penalized with three demerit points as punishment. Consequently, he has been suspended for half of the match fees.
According to ICC regulations, if a cricketer accumulates five demerit points within 24 months, they receive two suspension points as a penalty. This means they are banned from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is. A cricketer cannot play the game they received the punishment in for three versions of the game.
Bangladesh will be touring Sri Lanka next month, where they will play three T20s, two ODIs, and two Tests. They won’t have the services of the Sri Lankan skipper Hasaranga for the T20s on the 4th and 6th of March.
After Sri Lanka lost by three runs chasing a target of 210 in the third and final T20 against Afghanistan last Wednesday, Hasaranga expressed his anger at umpire Lyndon Hannibal’s decision during a press conference. Fast bowler Momand bowled a ‘beamer’ near Kamindu Mendis’ shoulder, but square-leg umpire Hannibal didn’t call it a no-ball.
After losing by three runs while chasing a target of 210, Hasaranga criticized umpiring intensely during the press conference, suggesting umpires like these should seek alternative jobs. Subsequently, he was banned for two matches. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz also didn’t accept the umpire’s instructions and was fined 15% of his match fee for changing the grip of his bat on multiple occasions despite repeated warnings. A demerit point was also added to his name.
Match referee Chris Broad accepted their mistakes, so there was no need for a formal hearing. Hasaranga and Gurbaz accepted their fines. Therefore, there was no need for a formal hearing.
