Afghanistan captain Norooz Mangal has been suspended for two matches for maintaining a slow over-rate during his team's 13-run victory over Hong Kong on day two of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 (WCL Div. 3) at Belgrano CC, Buenos Aires on 25 January.

ICC Match Referee David Jukes imposed the suspension after Norooz Mangal's side was ruled to be five overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, if the over-rate is more than two overs short in a one-day match, the captain is charged under Level 2.11.

At a hearing conducted on Sunday evening by Mr Jukes, Norooz pleaded guilty to the charge and Mr Jukes imposed the suspension. For Level 2 offences of this nature the minimum suspension is two one-day matches.

As such, Norooz will miss his side's next two matches in the WCL Div. 3, against Argentina and Papua New Guinea.

The offence under which Norooz was charged is contained within section J 5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials which relates to slow over-rates.

The specific issue of over-rates was stressed by Mr Jukes at his pre-tournament briefing and the on-field umpires reminded the captain of his responsibilities in this regard on more than one occasion during play.

A player found guilty of a Level 2, 3 or 4 offence has a right of appeal. Such an appeal must be lodged in writing with the ICC's legal counsel within 24 hours of the player receiving the sanction. Any player who lodges an appeal is free to play pending that hearing.

The charge was laid by all three umpires, the on-field officials Courtney Young and Ashook Brijcoomar as well as third umpire Steven Douglas. The on-field umpires were present at the hearing, along with the match referee, the player, and Afghanistan team coach Mohammed Kabir Khan.

The full ICC Code of Conduct can be found at: http://in.yimg.com/icccricket/pdfs/code-of-conduct-for-players-and-officials.pdf. Section J, which deals with minimum over-rates, can be found on page 20 of this pdf document.