Share

Sri Lanka T20 skipper gets 2-match ban for abusing umpire

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Sri Lanka T20 captain Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Sri Lanka T20 captain Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images)
  • Sri Lanka's T20 captain, Wanindu Hasaranga, has copped a two-game ban for abusing an umpire.
  • Hasaranga argued with the on-field umpire for failing to call a no-ball on a high delivery in Sri Lanka's game against Afghanistan.
  • The ICC also fined Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz 15 percent of his fee for the same match for disobeying umpire instructions.
  • For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.


New Sri Lanka Twenty20 captain Wanindu Hasaranga was given a two-match ban by the International Cricket Council on Saturday for abusing an umpire during this week's series-ending loss against Afghanistan.

The 26-year-old remonstrated with on-field umpire Lyndon Hannibal after the match for failing to call a no-ball on a high delivery to Kamindu Mendis in the final over, when Sri Lanka needed 11 from three balls.

READ | Windies legend Gayle says there's nothing new about 'Bazball', hails 'phenomenal' Jaiswal

The ICC said in a statement the encounter had breached its code of conduct on "personal abuse", with Hasaranga accumulating enough demerit points over the past two years to earn the ban and a fine of 50 percent of his match fee.

"Hasaranga stands suspended from Sri Lanka's first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month," the statement said.

Replays confirmed that Wafadar Momand's delivery had been above waist-high and Hasaranga continued to vent his frustrations after the match.

"If you can't see that, that umpire isn't suited to international cricket," he said, according to Cricinfo. "It would be much better if he did another job."

Sri Lanka went on to lose the match by three runs after Mendis hit a six on the final ball but won the series 2-1 in an otherwise wretched tour for Afghanistan, who lost all three ODIs and the sole Test.

The ICC also fined Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz 15 percent of his fee for the same match for disobeying umpire instructions.

"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," the statement said.

It said both players had "admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions".

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Stormers 30
Leinster 12
loading... Live
Stellenbosch FC 1
Polokwane City 0
loading... Live
Aston Villa 0
Chelsea 0
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 1059 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 513 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE