Credit: X
The Sri Lanka all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga, has been suspended for a two-match Test series in Bangladesh after being found guilty of an ICC Code of Conduct breach. Notably, the 26-year-old, who had announced his Test retirement last year, took a U-turn on his decision to make himself available for the upcoming Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka series this month.
As per the statement from the ICC, Wanindu Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, wherein he showed dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match. The incident happened in the third and final ODI of the series for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram when he snatched the cap from one of the umpires before ridiculing the umpiring decisions.
Bangladesh managed to win the series decider against Sri Lanka by four wickets, chasing down the 236-run target inside 41 overs, to clinch it 2-1.
Notably, the offence in the third and final ODI of the series meant that Wanindu Hasaranga received a 50% fine and accumulated three demerit points, which added up to eight in 24 months. With that, the Sri Lanka all-rounder breached the threshold of eight demerit points, and it led to the ICC applying the 7.6 article of the Code of Conduct, to convert the demerit points into four suspension points.
According to the rules, four suspension points are equal to a ban from two Tests or four ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first. Therefore, Wanindu Hasaranga will be missing the next two Test matches on the Sri Lankan cricketing calendar against Bangladesh away from home.
Also, Wanindu Hasranga, who was set to miss the initial stages of the IPL 2024 with Sunrisers Hyderabad due to Sri Lanka commitments, will probably not be playing for the franchise until after the Test series against Bangladesh finishes on April 3.
