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In a significant development in the world of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a two-match suspension on Sri Lankan T20I skipper Wanindu Hasaranga for his involvement in a heated altercation with an umpire during a T20I game against Afghanistan. This incident took place in Dambulla on February 21, leading to a disciplinary action announced by the ICC on February 24.
The confrontation centered around Hasaranga's dissatisfaction with umpire Lyndon Hanibal's decision regarding a no-ball call during a nail-biting series finale against Afghanistan, which the latter won by a narrow margin of 3 runs.
Hasaranga also fined 50% of match fees
Following this incident, Hasaranga faced a penalty of three demerit points and a fine amounting to 50 percent of his match fee for violating the ICC Code of Conduct. This latest breach resulted in Hasaranga accumulating a total of five demerit points over a 24-month period. According to ICC regulations, accumulating five demerit points translates to two suspension points.
Consequently, Hasaranga will miss out on the upcoming two T20Is against Bangladesh, as two suspension points equate to a ban from either one Test match or two ODIs or T20Is, based on the next scheduled matches for the concerned player or team personnel.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz also punished by ICC
In addition to Hasaranga's suspension, Afghanistan's opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz also faced disciplinary action for a separate violation during the same match. Gurbaz was fined 15 percent of his match fee for defying an umpire's instructions, a breach falling under Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The specific violation involved Gurbaz altering his bat's grip despite repeated warnings against such action on the field.
Both players acknowledged their breaches of the Code of Conduct and accepted the sanctions proposed by Chris Broad, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, obviating the need for formal hearings. The charges against the players were brought forth by on-field umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Raveendra Wimalasiri, along with third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and fourth umpire Ranmore Martinez.
This disciplinary action followed a thrilling T20I series conclusion in Dambulla, where Afghanistan managed to secure a victory in the final match, thus avoiding a series whitewash against Sri Lanka.
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