Bangladeshi batsman Liton Kumar Das and Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara were penalised for their in inappropriate behaviour during the Super 12 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Liton was fined 15 per cent while Lahiru 25 per cent of their match fee, and both received one demerit point, said a media release from the International Cricket Council.
Both were fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
Lahiru was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”
Liton was also found guilty of breaching Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”
The incident occurred in the fifth over after the dismissal of batter Liton in the Bangladesh innings.
After he dismissed the batter, Lahiru walked towards him using actions and words which provoked an aggressive reaction from the batter.
Having been provoked by the bowler, Liton reacted aggressively and in a manner that was contrary to the spirit of cricket.
However, the penalty adds insult to injury for Liton, who dropped two vital catches during the game which eventually cost the match for Bangladesh.
Match referee Javagal Srinath imposed the sanctions, which were ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the Covid-19 interim playing regulations.
Lahiru and Liton both pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Adrian Holdstock, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Rod Tucker.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
