Afghanistan have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Hambantota on Friday.

Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Hashmatullah Shahidi’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Hashmatullah pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Nitin Menon and Prageeth Rambukwella, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Lyndon Hannibal leveled the charge.

(ICC)

Sri Lanka comprehensively defeated Afghanistan by 132 runs in the second one-day-international to square the series 1-1 in Hambantota.

Sri Lanka will take on Afghanistan in the second game of the three-match One-Day-International series at the Sooriyawewa International Stadium in Hambantota.

The game is scheduled to get underway at 10am. Sri Lanka must win today’s encounter to keep the series alive.

The Dasun Shanaka-led team was beaten by the Afghans by 6 wickets on Friday at the same venue.

The home side is expected to make at least couple of changes with injured Lahiru Kumara making way for speedster Dushmantha Chameera.

Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to return to the crucial game today in place of Dushan Hemantha.

Sri Lanka’s top order failed to click on Friday and selectors may also shuffle the pack to avoid an embarrassing series defeat.