Wanindu Hasaranga faces two-matches suspension and Rahmanullah Gurbaz fined after 3rd T20I between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan

In a big blow to Sri Lankan cricket, their T20I captain and one of the world’s premier T20 all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended by Apex Governing Council for a collective five demerit points within 24 months. 

In the recently held T20I against Afghanistan, Hasaranga was handed three demerit points and a 50% match fee reduction for violating Article 2.13 of the Apex Cricket Council Code of Conduct concerns “Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, or Match Referee during an International Match.”

The 3 demerit points ascertained by Hasaranga accumulated to 5 demerit points within 24 months which resulted in two suspension points for Hasarnga. Two suspension points mean that the player is barred from participating in either one Test, 2 ODIs, or 2 T20Is which comes first. It means that Hasaranga is set to miss the first two T20Is against next month.

Hasaranga’s sly dig at Umpire Lyndon Hannibal over no-ball call

The incident unfolded in the 3rd T20I between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan where Wanindu Hasaranga gave a mouthful to the umpire Lyndon Hannibal for not getting a no-ball call wrong which had a significant impact on the match.

During the post-match presentation, Hasaranga suggested the umpire contemplate another profession if they cannot get such a blatant no-ball call right. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz who was adjudged as the man of the match was also fined 15% of his match fees by the umpire for breaching Level 1 of the Apex Governing Council Code of Conduct.

Rahmanullah was discovered to have breached Article 2.4 of the Code, which pertains to "Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match." Despite being cautioned multiple times against it, Rahmanullah proceeded to alter the grip of his bat while on the field, resulting in the imposition of the penalty.

Both the players acknowledged their mistakes and agreed to the penalties set by official Chris Broad thus avoiding a formal hearing. Umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Raveendra Wimalasiri, third-umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, and fourth-umpire Ranmore Martinez filed the charges against the players after the 3T20I.