Lankan pacer Suranga Lakmal penalised for breaching ICC Code

Dubai, Nov 22 (CRICKETNMORE): Sri Lanka medium pacer Suranga Lakmal was on Tuesday fined 50 percent of his match fee for breaching International Cricket Council's (ICC) Code of Conduct during his sides match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Lakmal was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 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", according to an ICC statement.

In addition to the sanction, two demerit points have been added to Lakmal's disciplinary record.

The incident took place during the second over of the match when Lakmal dangerously threw the ball back at Zimbabwe opener Chamu Chibhabha at the striker's end when the batsman had stayed in his crease after playing a shot and was not attempting a run.

Lakmal admitted to the charge and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Javagal Srinath.

According to ICC guidelines, if Lakmal reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, those will be converted into suspension points, resulting in a ban. 

Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.