The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Afghanistan 20 per cent of its playing fee for failing to meet an acceptable over-stake in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Hambantota.

The ongoing ODI series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was exciting to watch as the competition between bat and ball was exciting. The series is currently 1-1, with the decider taking place on June 7th.

While the outcome of the first game was in Afghanistan's favour, it wasn't a fruitful ending for them as they were fined 20% of their game fees due to a slow over-rate. Taking into account the time requirements according to the ICC, they were one below the target value.

Ranjan Madugalle, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, imposed the penalty after determining that Afghanistan had come under the required quota by one, taking into account any time constraints.

As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players' Staff, which deals with violations of the minimum overage, players will be penalized with a 20 percent deduction from their game fee if their team does not bowl within the specified time.

Hashmatullah admitted the crime and agreed to the proposed punishment, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Nitin Menon and Prageeth Rambukwella, as well as third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Lyndon Hannibal brought the charge.

Afghanistan put on a great performance in the first ODI as they beat Sri Lanka by six wickets. They chose to bowl and put on a collective bowling performance as each bowler kept in with wickets and knocked out opponents for just 268 runs. Fareed Ahmad was the bowlers' choice with his numbers of 2/43.

In pursuit of the goal, opener Ibrahim Zadran scored a sensational shot of 98 runs and brought his team close to the goal. He was well supported by Rahmat Shah, who scored 55 runs, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored 38 runs, as Afghanistan secured a comfortable 6-wicket win.

Sri Lanka then staged a dominant comeback in the second game as they defeated Afghanistan by a massive 132 runs to equal the series 1-1. The series now moves on to Decider, which will be played on June 7th.