In a recent turn of events, a former player of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been slapped with a two-match suspension from international cricket. This action comes in response to the player’s use of derogatory language towards the umpire following the conclusion of a match, a direct violation of the ICC’s Code of Conduct.
Umpiring Controversy
The incident occurred during the second innings of the third T20I match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. A contentious decision by the umpire, who did not call a high ball as a no-ball, sparked heated debate. The Sri Lankan team, particularly their captain Wanindu Hasaranga, expressed strong dissent against the decision.
Hasaranga voiced his discontent, stating, “That kind of thing shouldn’t happen in an international match.” He criticized the umpire’s judgment, highlighting the potential danger posed by the high ball to the batsman. His remarks, deemed inappropriate for the spirit of the game, drew immediate attention.
Penalty Imposed
Following an inquiry into the incident, Wanindu Hasaranga was found in breach of article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct. As a consequence, he has been fined 50% of his match fees and incurred three demerit points, bringing his total demerit points within 24 months to five.
This suspension means that Hasaranga will be sidelined for the first two T20Is against Bangladesh in the upcoming series. While the penalty was expected given the severity of his comments, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum on and off the field.
Additional Fines
In a related development, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, another player involved in the series, has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This marks his second offence, resulting in two demerit points against his name.
Gurbaz found himself on the receiving end of a penalty due to his persistent defiance of prior warnings against altering the grip of his bat during gameplay. This infraction, occurring amidst a series marked by such disciplinary incidents, cast a shadow over the proceedings.
Ultimately, the series concluded with Sri Lanka clinching victory in the three-match T20I series, emerging triumphant with a 2-1 win. However, the celebratory atmosphere was tinged with the unfortunate undertone of unsportsmanlike conduct and breaches of regulation, detracting from the overall spirit of the competition.
