Saeed Ajmal Fined For Giving Sangakkara Send-Off

Saeed Ajmal Fined For Giving Sangakkara Send-Off

Kumar Sangakkara (left) looks on as Saeed Ajmal (number 50) celebrates his dismissal with team-mates.

©REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (SRI LANKA SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been fined 15 percent of his match fee after he gave Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara a send-off and using aggressive language having dismissed him during the Twenty20 International in Colombo.

Ajmal celebrated bowling the left-hander with a gesture that goes against the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct.

He was charged under Level 1.6 of the Code, which relates to: “Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other members of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman.”

The incident was reported by on-field umpires Asoka de Silva and Tyron Wijewardene and match referee Alan Hurst imposed the penalty after the match.

“In coming to my decision I took into account the fact the player immediately recognised his error of judgment and apologised to both umpires," Hurst said. "He also did so to Kumar Sangakkara after the game.

“The player had no previous instances of this type of behaviour but it was pointed out to him during the hearing that his actions were a clear breach of the ICC Code of Conduct and something seen not only on the replay screen at the ground but also by the many millions of people watching on television around the world.

“This type of action cannot be tolerated as it does not promote the playing of the game in the expected positive spirit.”

Pakistan went on to win the match by 52 runs.

© Cricket World 2009

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