Ajmal fined 15 per cent of match fee after gesture to batsman

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of misbehaving with Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara during their one-off Twenty20 match.

Ajmal pointed to the pavilion and spoke aggressively to Sangakkara after dismissing the host's skipper in the 14th over of the Sri Lanka innings at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, an ICC release said on Thursday.

Ajmal was charged under Level 1.6 of the ICC code of conduct, which refers to "Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other members of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman.

"The incident was reported by on-field umpires Asoka de Silva and Tyron Wijewardene as well as third umpire Gamini Silva and fourth official Gamini Dissanayake.

"This type of action cannot be tolerated as it does not promote the playing of the game in the expected positive spirit," Match Referee Alan Hurst said after the hearing.

In addition to the match officials and the player charged, the hearing was also attended by Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, captain Shahid Afridi and coach Intikhab Alam.

For Level 1 offences, penalties range from a reprimand up to a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player's match fee and the match referee's decision is final and binding and there is no right to appeal.