Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended from the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh for dissent, which indirectly aids the nation’s chances of winning the T20 World Cup.
The 26-year-old spinner, who announced his Test retirement in August last year to prolong his white-ball career, was a surprise inclusion in Sri Lanka’s 17-player squad for the upcoming two-Test campaign against Bangladesh, which was announced on Monday.
However, less than 24 hours later, the ICC found Hasaranga guilty of “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision” during Monday’s third ODI against Bangladesh, receiving a 50 per cent match fine and accumulating three demerit points. The offence brought his total demerit points to eight within a 24-month rolling period, resulting in a suspension from two Tests, four ODIs or T20Is, whichever comes first.
If Hasaranga had not been selected for the Test series, his suspension points would have carried forward to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States, subsequently missing Sri Lanka’s first four matches in the marquee tournament.
The suspension also means Hasaranga will be available for the entirety of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Indian Premier League campaign, which gets underway this weekend.
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Hasaranga, currently second on the ICC Men’s T20I bowling rankings, is on the verge of leapfrogging the legendary Lasith Malinga to become Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in the format. He was also suspended for two T20Is last month after showing dissent at an umpire during the third T20 against Afghanistan.
The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka gets underway at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Source Agencies
