Asitha Fernando found guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Asitha Fernando. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Colombo on Wednesday.

Fernando was found to have breached 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.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Fernando, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the 81st over of Pakistan’s innings, when Fernando, after dismissing Saud Shakeel, went close to the batter and celebrated the dismissal in an inappropriate manner.

Fernando admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Raveendra Wimalasari, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.