Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, has been sidelined for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to start March 22 in Sylhet and continue on March 30 in Chattogram. This disciplinary action comes as a blow to the 26-year-old, who had only recently decided to return to Test cricket after a year of retirement. The ICC found him guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the Code of Conduct for challenging an umpire's decision during the deciding ODI of the series against Bangladesh.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first test begins on Friday, March 22 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with the following Test in Chattogram from March 30. This came about only a few days after the 26-year-old cricketer made the announcement to play Test cricket again, having previously retired from the game last year. Hasaranga was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match,” during the third and final ODI of the recently concluded series against Bangladesh.
The conflict flared up in the 37th over when Hasaranga, the leg-spinner, took his cap from an umpire and openly ridiculed the decision-making. Bangladesh eventually won that game by four wickets, clinching the series 2-1. For his conduct, Hasaranga was fined half his match fee and given three demerit points, pushing his total to eight points over the last 24 months.
Prior to this, Hasaranga had already accumulated five demerit points, adding three more during the third T20I against Afghanistan in Dambulla. This sequence of events previously led to a two-match T20I suspension against Bangladesh. Now, having crossed the eight-point threshold, his penalty has been converted into four suspension points under Article 7.6 of the ICC regulations.
Because of these four suspension points, the right-handed batter is barred from participating in the two World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh, or alternatively, four ODI or T20I games. Interestingly, if Hasaranga had remained retired from Test cricket, this suspension could have cost him four appearances in the upcoming T20 World Cup hosted by the USA and West Indies.
Sri Lanka's ODI captain, Kusal Mendis, also faced disciplinary action, receiving a 50% fine and three demerit points for a Level 2 offense. Mendis was found to have used abusive language toward the umpires while shaking hands after the series finale against Bangladesh, violating Article 2.13, which forbids personal abuse of officials or players. This marks Mendis' first such violation in the past two years.
Both players acknowledged their mistakes and accepted the penalties handed down by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.