On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) declared that Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who recently made a comeback to Test cricket, has been suspended for two Bangladesh Tests. This decision came after he received three demerit points for displaying dissent towards the umpire’s decision during the third ODI against Bangladesh.
“Hasaranga, who had just announced a return to Test cricket, was found guilty of a Code of Conduct breach,” ICC said in an official statement.
“During the third ODI in the recently-concluded series against Bangladesh, Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match,'” the statement added.
During the 37th over of the match, Hasaranga showed dissent by grabbing his cap from an umpire and criticizing the umpiring. Bangladesh won the series 2-1 by four wickets. As a result, he received a 50% fine and three penalty points, bringing his total demerit points to eight within two years.
The all-rounder had accumulated five demerit points after receiving three during the third T20I against Afghanistan in Dambulla last month. Consequently, he was suspended for two Twenty20 Internationals against Bangladesh. With the recent demerit points added, he has crossed the eight-point threshold, resulting in four suspension points under article 7.6 of the Code.
“The four suspension points equate to a ban from two Tests or four ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first – Hasaranga will therefore miss the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Bangladesh,” the statement further read.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka ODI captain Kusal Mendis was also fined 50 per cent and given three demerit points for a Level 2 violation when he “abused the umpires while shaking hands with them” at the end of the third match.
“This breached article 2.13 of the Code, which relates to “Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match.” This was a first offence for Mendis in a 24-month period,” ICC added. Both Hasaranga and Mendis admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
