Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended for two games by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The firebrand was found guilty of violating Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the recently concluded third T20I against Afghanistan.

Following the code of conduct violation in the third T20I against Afghanistan, Wanindu Hasranga’s total demerit points reached five in 24 months. The Sri Lanka T20 skipper received a 50 per cent fine and three demerit points following his offence.

Wanindu Hasaranga was found guilty of violating Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This law is associated with “personal abuse of a player, player support staff, referee or match referee during an international match.”

Wanindu Hasaranga came under scrutiny after expressing his frustration with referee Lyndon Hanibal. The leg-spinner was left shaky on the decision of a high full toss that was not considered a no-ball during the third T20I against Afghanistan.

Wanindu Hasaranga, with five demerit points, means his bow has two suspension points. The leg-spinner will now be banned for one Test match or two ODIs or T20Is, whichever comes first, for the player or the player’s support staff. The Sri Lankan star will not be allowed to take part in two T20Is against Bangladesh next month.

Wanindu Hasaranga, who is the second-ranked T20I bowler in the ICC men’s player rankings, was awarded Player of the Series in the three-match series against Afghanistan. He picked four wickets in the series and was also skillful with the bat.

The Sri Lanka captain scored 67 runs in the first game and then followed it up with a 9-ball 22 innings in the second game and a 13-run knock in the last match. His sensational performance helped his team seal the series by a 2-1 margin. The series was an ideal preparation for them for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will take place in the USA and the Caribbean in June this year.

Apart from Wanindu Hasaranga, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is also sanctioned by the ICC

Apart from Wanindu Hasaranga, Afghan player Rahmanullah Gurbaz was also sanctioned by the ICC. He has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct in the third T20I against Sri Lanka.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was penalized for altering the grip of his bat on the field despite repeated warnings against doing so. The wicketkeeper-batsman violated Article 2.4 of the Code, which relates to “Disobeying the instructions of an umpire during an international match.”

Apart from this, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was also given a demerit point. This was his second offense in 24 months. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s total demerit points have been added to two now.

Both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Wandinu Hasaranga admitted to the offences. Emirates ICC Panel of Elite Match Referees, Chris Broad, imposed the sanctions on both players and there was no need for a formal hearing.

Field umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Raveendra Wimalasiri, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and fourth umpire Ranmore Martinez carried both players.