Wanindu Hasaranga suspended, to miss Test series against Bangladesh

Wanindu Hasaranga could be available for initial few games for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after he was suspended from the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh by the ICC, despite coming out of retirement.

Hasaranga, who had retired from Tests in August, was named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the Tests against Bangladesh starting Friday.

But the ICC notified SLC that the 26-year-old has ‘breached the threshold of eight demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have been converted into four suspension points’ in his latest offence during the third ODI.

“Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match’,” the ICC said.

The incident happened in the 37th over when the right-arm spinner “snatched his cap” from one of the on-field umpires and also “ridiculed” the umpiring, the ICC said.

“He received a 50 per cent fine and accumulated three demerit points for his offence. This brought his total demerit points to eight in a 24-month period,” the ICC said.

Hasaranga already had five demerit points - three of which were docked in the third T20I against Afghanistan last month. He was also suspended for two T20Is against Bangladesh.

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“Now, with the addition of the latest demerit points, he has breached the threshold of eight demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have been converted into four suspension points,” the ICC said.

“The four suspension points equate to a ban from two Tests or four ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first - Hasaranga will therefore miss the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Bangladesh,” the governing body added.

Meanwhile, ICC also handed a 50 per cent match fee fine and three demerit points on Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis for “abusing the umpires while shaking hands with them”.

“This breached article 2.13 of the Code, which relates to ‘Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match’.”

Both the players admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions which were imposed by Andy Pycroft.

The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be played in Sylhet from 22 March, while the second tie is slated from 30 March at Chattogram.

With Hasaranga ruled out of the Test series, it has opened the door for him to join his teammates at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He was roped in by the franchise at his base price of Rs 1.5 crore.

As per the IPL schedule, SRH will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 23 March in Kolkata. They will then travel to Hyderabad for the tie against Mumbai Indians (MI) on 27 March and then proceed to Ahmedabad for the game against Gujarat Titans (GT) on 31 March.

(with inputs from PTI)