Du Plessis, Chandimal banned for slow over rates

CHITTAGONG: Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal and South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis were suspended for one Twenty20 match after their sides were charged for slow over-rates for the second time within 12 months, the ICC said Friday.

It was both captains' second offence in the same format, as South Africa were fined for being two overs short against New Zealand on Monday while Sri Lanka were short by one over against New Zealand in Pallekele in November last year, the International Cricket Council said.

The ICC match referee David Boon of Australia imposed the suspensions and penalties after both sides were ruled to be one over short of their targets at the end of their matches in Chittagong on Thursday.

Sri Lanka lost to England by six wickets while South Africa pulled off a dramatic six run victory over the Netherlands -- both matches in Chittagong.

Under ICC rules a captain is suspended for one match if his team are found guilty of a slow over-rate twice within 12 months.

That means Chandimal will miss Sri Lanka's next game against New Zealand in Chittagong on Monday -- a crucial match which will decide both teams' fate for semi-final places.

Du Plessis will miss his team's next game against England in Chittagong on Saturday.

In addition to their suspensions, Chandimal and Du Plessis will be fined 20 percent of their match fee, while the other players will be docked 10 percent.

Du Plessis pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing, the ICC said.

Chandimal pleaded not guilty and so a full hearing was held on Friday, with Boon appointed to adjudicate the matter, the ICC said.

Boon upheld the charge and proposed penalty and Chandimal was suspended for one match.

Sri Lanka will likely be captained by paceman Lasith Malinga in Chandimal's absence while AB de Villiers will skipper South Africa.

Sri Lanka and South Africa both have two wins in three games in group one of the Super-10 stage with New Zealand and England on one win each from their two matches.

The Netherlands have lost both their matches in the group.

New Zealand will face the Netherlands on Saturday in Chittagong ahead of the South Africa-England game. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals to be played in Dhaka on April 3 and 4, with the final to take place on April 6