Cricket News

Wanindu Hasaranga banned for 2 matches for abusing the umpire

On Saturday 24th February Cricket Governing Body suspended Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga as he was found guilty. He was found guilty during the T20I match against Afghanistan as he was verbally abused by the on-field umpire. The incident happened when Hasaranga abused Lyndon Hanibal as he didn’t him a no-ball signal in the chase in the last match.

Wanindu Hasaranga was given 3 demerit points and was given a fine of 50 per cent match fee for an outburst with the umpire in a thrilling game as Afghanistan won by 3 runs.

Hasaranga’s five demerit points equal two suspension points. As two suspension points amount to a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, whichever comes first for the player or player support staff, Hasaranga has been suspended from Sri Lanka’s first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month, according to the Cricket Governing Body.

On the other hand, Rahmanullah Gurbazw was also penalised and fined 15% of his match fee for breaching level 1 of the Cricket Governing Body in the following match.

Rahmanullah was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the Code, which relates to “Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match.” The sanction was imposed on Rahmanullah for changing the grip of his bat on the field of play despite being repeatedly warned not to do so.

Afghanistan won the third T20I match

Both players confessed the offences and accepted the punishments offered by Chris Broad of the Emirates Cricket Governing Body Elite Panel of Match Referees, therefore official hearings were unnecessary. On-field umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Raveendra Wimalasiri, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, and fourth umpire Ranmore Martinez all issued the charges.

Afghanistan escaped a series sweep in Sri Lanka by winning the last T20I at Dambulla. Afghanistan, after being asked into bat first by Sri Lanka’s captain, scored a total of 209-5, courtesy of a magnificent half-century by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was later voted Player of the Match. Sri Lanka, led by Pathum Nissanka scored 60 runs and Kamindu Mendis scored 65 runs and remained not out as they fell four runs short of the mark.