Colombo: Dinesh Chandimal has been suspended from Sri Lanka’s upcoming two Twenty20 Internationals in the three-nation series after being found guilty of a serious over-rate offence in Saturday’s match against Bangladesh in Colombo. The hosts will miss his services in Monday’s crucial match against India.
Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Chandimal’s side was ruled to be four overs short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.5.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to serious over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for the first two overs and 20 per cent per additional over their side failed to bowl in the allotted time, while the captain receives two suspension points.
Earlier on Saturday, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim smashed an unbeaten 72 off 35 balls to help his team pull off a stunning chase against the hosts.
Chasing 215 to win, Bangladesh made a flying start before enduring a mid-innings slump when Mushfiqur took the onus on himself to help Bangladesh post their highest total in the 20-overs format and win by five wickets with two balls to spare.
Seeking to bounce back from Thursday’s loss to India, Rahim elected to field but Sri Lanka amassed 214 for six wickets at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Danushka Gunathilaka fell for 26 but a brisk 85-run partnership between opener Kusal Mendis (57) and next man in Kusal Perera laid the foundation for a 200-plus total.
Mendis smacked five sixes in his 30-ball blitz and Perera top-scored for the hosts with 74 off 48 balls.
Upul Tharanga provided the late assault, smashing 32 not out in 15 balls to help the hosts post the highest score in a Twenty20 International at the venue before Bangladesh bettered that mark.
A strong start was crucial to Bangladesh’s hopes and they got precisely that from Tamim Iqbal (47) and Liton Das (43) who added 74 runs for the opening partnership inside six overs.
Nuwan Pradeep trapped Das lbw to earn a breakthrough for Sri Lanka but Mushfiqur, who hit four sixes and five fours, batted with purpose to force an outcome which meant all three teams in the tournament have one win each.
