International Cricket Council (ICC) handed a two-match suspension to Sri Lanka's T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga on February 24 for his altercation with umpire Lyndon Hannibal during the 3rd Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan T20I that took place on February 21 at Dambulla’s Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. In addition to the suspension, Hasaranga has also been fined 50% of his match fees and will be unavailable for Sri Lanka's initial two T20Is against Bangladesh next month.
The incident unfolded when umpire Hannibal chose not to declare a high full-toss from Wafadar Momand to Kamindu Mendis as a no-ball when Sri Lanka needed 11 from three balls.. Kamindu had moved down the pitch, and had he been at the popping crease standing upright, the delivery would likely have been above his waist. According to the ICC's playing conditions, this would qualify as a no-ball.
After reviewing the incident, the ICC determined that Hasaranga's actions were in violation of the ICC Code of Conduct. Consequently, the Sri Lankan T20I captain was fined 50 percent of his match fee and received three demerit points. Notably, this latest breach took Hasaranga's total demerit points to five within a 24-month period, resulting in an automatic two-match suspension.
'That Umpire Isn't Suited To International Cricket'
Hasaranga expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that such incidents shouldn't occur in international matches. He criticized the umpire's decision on a high full-toss, emphasizing the potential danger it posed to the batsman's head. Hasaranga suggested that an umpire unable to discern such situations might not be suitable for international cricket, proposing they consider another role.
"That kind of thing shouldn't happen in an international match," Hasaranga had said. "If it had been close [to waist height], that's not a problem. But a ball that's going so high… it would have hit the batsman's head if it had gone a little higher. If you can't see that, that umpire isn't suited to international cricket. It would be much better if he did another job," said Hasaranga as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz Fined 15% Of Match Fee
Apart from Hasaranga, Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz also encountered disciplinary measures for violating the ICC Code of Conduct in the same match. Gurbaz received a 15 percent fine of his match fee for altering the grip of his bat on the field, disregarding repeated warnings from match officials. This constituted Gurbaz's second offence within a 24-month period, leading to the addition of one demerit point to his record, resulting in a cumulative total of two demerit points.