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COLOMBO: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was fined 15 percent of his match fee for his aggressive behavior following the dismissal of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in Wednesday’s Twenty20 international.
Ajmal was found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct which refers to “Pointing or gesturing toward the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other members of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman,” the ICC said Thursday.
The incident occurred in the 14th over of the Sri Lanka innings at the R. Premadasa Stadium when Ajmal gave Sangakkara an aggressive send off after dismissing him for 38 runs.
Ajmal returned figures of 3-18 for the match, which Pakistan won by 52 runs.
Ajmal had faced losing up to half his match fee.
Match referee Alan Hurst said he took into account that the bowler immediately apologized to both umpires and to Sangakkara after the match.
“The player had no previous instances of this type of behavior 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,” Hurst said.
“This type of action cannot be tolerated as it does not promote the playing of the game in the expected positive spirit.”