Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has issued a rebuttal amidst swirling allegations of exploiting loopholes following the controversy surrounding Wanindu Hasaranga’s Test ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Hasaranga, who initially retired from Test cricket in August last year, made a surprising U-turn and was subsequently included in the Test squad for the series against Bangladesh. However, his participation was cut short when the ICC imposed a ban on March 19, casting doubt over the circumstances surrounding his reinstatement.
Speculations have arisen suggesting that SLC strategically maneuvered to leverage ICC regulations, allowing Hasaranga to serve his suspension during the Test series against Bangladesh while preserving his availability for lucrative T20 tournaments such as the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ajantha Mendis, a member of the SLC selection committee, refuted these claims, asserting that Hasaranga had communicated his willingness to return to Test cricket well before the final ODI against Bangladesh. Mendis emphasized that the decision was made independently of the impending ban, denying any exploitation of loopholes in ICC regulations.
The controversy surrounding Hasaranga’s Test ban centers on his breach of Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Bangladesh, which pertains to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.” As a result, Hasaranga incurred three demerit points, leading to a cumulative total of eight demerit points within 24 months.
Consequently, the ICC converted these demerit points into four suspension points, rendering Hasaranga ineligible for two Tests or four ODIs or four T20Is, whichever comes first.
The timing of Hasaranga’s retirement reversal has sparked debate over whether it was a strategic move to circumvent his ban and preserve his availability for lucrative T20 tournaments. However, SLC maintains that the decision was made independently of the impending ban, emphasizing their commitment to upholding integrity and fair play in cricket.
As discussions continue to unfold, the episode underscores the complexities and nuances of cricket governance, raising questions about player conduct, regulatory compliance, and the integrity of the sport.
