Sri Lanka captain suspended by ICC for abusing umpire during Afghanistan match

Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over abusing an on-field umpire during the third T20I against Afghanistan in Dambulla earlier this week.

Hasaranga has been slapped with a two-match suspension after his total demerit points reached five within the last 24-month period following his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, for which he received a 50 per cent fine and three demerit points.

On Wednesday, Hasaranga approached umpire Lyndon Hanibal to express criticism regarding a decision of a high full toss not called a no-ball.

Sri Lanka required 11 runs off the final three balls when the incident occurred. With Momand’s delivery called legal and Mendis making no contact with the full toss, the equation became 11 off 2. Sri Lanka eventually lost the match by three runs.

The suspension means Hasaranga will miss Sri Lanka’s first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month.

Afghanistan player Rahmanullah Gurbaz has also been penalised. He has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct in the same match.

Rahmanullah was found in violation of article 2.4 of the Code, which pertains to “Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match.”

Furthermore, one demerit point has been added to Rahmanullah’s disciplinary record, marking his second offence within a 24-month period and bringing his total demerit points to two.

The sanction was imposed on Rahmanullah for altering the grip of his bat on the field despite repeated warnings against doing so.