Dubai: India seamer Munaf Patel has been fined 75 per cent of his match fee for a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during his side's second one-dayer against Lanka in Dambulla on Wednesday.
Munaf was found guilty of a Level-2 offence by Match Referee Chris Broad at a hearing following the conclusion of the match.
India won by three wickets in a low scoring tie ti draw level 1-1 in the five-match ODI series.
Munaf was found to have breached clause 2.8 of the Code which refers to "using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator."
Munaf was charged for the alleged remarks he made to umpire Gamini Silva after the Lankan official turned down an lbw appeal.
During the course of the hearing Munaf pleaded not guilty to the charge but did admit to speaking aggressively to the umpire.
Commenting on the decision, Broad said: "I accept that in international cricket there is a lot of passion but that does not excuse players talking back to umpires in an aggressive manner, as happened in this case."
"That is unacceptable and I hope this decision and the fine imposed demonstrates that fact."
The hearing was attended by Silva, Doctrove and Wijewardena, Munaf, India team manager Sanjay Desai and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The punishment for a Level 2 offence can range from a fine of 50 per cent of a player"s match fee up to a full match fee and/or a ban of one Test or two ODIs.
Agencies
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