Dubai: Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended from participating in the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh.
The suspension comes shortly after he announced his decision to return to Test cricket, despite having retired from the format last year.
Hasaranga was suspended for "showing dissent at an Umpire's decision during the third ODI in the recently-concluded series against Bangladesh.
The action was taken against the Sri Lanka allrounder for breaching article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
The incident involving Hasaranga occurred during the 37th over of the game, where he reportedly snatched his cap from one of the umpires and ridiculed the umpiring decisions during the match.
Furthermore, Bangladesh emerged victorious in the series, winning it 2-1 after securing a four-wicket victory in the contest.
Hasaranga not only received a suspension but also a 50 percent fine for his offense. Additionally, he accumulated three demerit points, bringing his total demerit points to eight within a 24-month period.
The Sri Lanka was already on five demerit points prior to the incident that led to his suspension for the two Test matches against Bangladesh. He had received three demerit points in the third T20I against Afghanistan in Dambulla the previous month. As a result, he was suspended for two T20Is against Bangladesh due to accumulating demerit points.
Hasaranga's accumulation of demerit points has resulted in a breach of the threshold, as outlined in article 7.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Consequently, the eight demerit points have been converted into four suspension points.
These four suspension points lead to a ban from participating in two Tests or four ODIs or T20Is, whichever comes first. Therefore, Hasaranga will miss the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Bangladesh due to this suspension.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis also received a 50 percent fine and three demerit points for a Level 2 offense. This offense occurred when he reportedly "abused the umpires while shaking hands with them" at the end of the third match.
Mendis' actions breached article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to "Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, or Match Referee during an International Match."
Notably, this incident marked Mendis' first offense within a 24-month period.
Both Mendis and Hasaranga admitted their offenses and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
