Sri Lanka was penalized five runs during the first one-day international against Bangladesh on Wednesday for failing to start the 36th over on time, marking the first in-game enforcement of the ICC’s stop-clock regulation since it became a permanent rule in international cricket.
The penalty was applied at R. Premadasa Stadium after Sri Lanka exceeded the 60-second allowance to begin a new over for the third time in the innings. Under ICC playing conditions, two warnings are permitted for such delays. A third violation triggers an automatic five-run penalty awarded to the batting side.
On-field umpires signaled the penalty at the start of the 36th over, adding five runs to Bangladesh’s total as extras. No extenuating circumstances were cited at the time of the delay.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka was seen speaking with the umpires after the ruling but play resumed with Bangladesh benefiting from the additional runs. Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga later said Asalanka “was trying to explain to the umpires” that the delay was unintended.
Despite the sanction, Sri Lanka won the match by 77 runs. Bangladesh was bowled out for 167, which included the five penalty runs, in reply to Sri Lanka’s 244.
The ICC’s stop-clock rule, trialed in 2023 and fully adopted in ODIs and T20Is, is intended to quicken the pace of play. Umpires enforce the timing rule between overs, and violations are reflected immediately on the scoreboard. Match referees may also issue fines or impose fielding restrictions for slow over-rates.
The incident served as a warning to teams that time management is now strictly enforced under international playing conditions. (Newswire)
