Two Sri Lankan cricketers have been officially reprimanded for excessive appealing during their tense Champions Trophy loss to the Black Caps.

Former captains Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene pleaded guilty to a level-one breach of the ICC Code of Conduct after New Zealand snuck home by one wicket, chasing 139 to win in Cardiff.

Sri Lanka, dismissed for 138, took regular wickets to reduce the Black Caps to 8-122 before the tail stood tall to secure victory.

“Irrespective of the outcome of an umpire’s decision, players are not entitled to prolonged appeals as these can be construed as pressuring the umpires,” ICC match referee Andy Pycroft said in a statement.

“Both the players accepted their mistake and apologised for their actions.”

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker, as well as third and fourth officials Ian Gould and Steve Davis.

The reprimand is the minimum penalty for excessive appealing. The maximum is a loss of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.