Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended from the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh due to an incident of dissent during the third ODI against the same opposition.
According to an ICC press release, Hasaranga was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the Player’s Code of Conduct, prohibiting dissent against an umpire’s decision. The incident occurred during the 37th over of the third ODI when Hasaranga “snatched his cap from one of the umpires and ridiculed the umpiring.”
As a result of this offense, Hasaranga has received a 50% match fee acceptable and three demerit points, bringing his total demerit points to eight. This triggers an automatic two-match suspension, meaning he will miss both Tests against Bangladesh.
This suspension is a significant blow to Sri Lanka’s Test team, as Hasaranga is one of their key players. He had recently come out of Test retirement to join the squad for this series.
In addition to Hasaranga’s suspension, Sri Lanka ODI captain Kusal Mendis was fined 50% of his match fee and received three demerit points for “abusing the umpires while shaking hands with them” at the end of the third ODI.
Bottom Line
The first Test between Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on March 22 in Sylhet. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis will now lead Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Kamindu Mendis and Nishan Peiris are likely to be brought into the squad to replace Hasaranga.