SL Minister submits nine-page report to support match-fixing claims
What's the story
Former Sri Lanka sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, on Thursday, submitted a detailed report to back his claims that the ICC World Cup 2011 final was fixed. Speaking during a media briefing, Aluthgamage said he has penned down a nine-page report, which comprises of 24 reasons to support his claim. Earlier, he claimed that Sri Lanka deliberately lost the final. Here is more.
Quote
Here is what Aluthgamage said
"Across nine pages, I have mentioned 24 suspicious reasons as to why we had lost the final of the World Cup 2011," Aluthgamage told reporters during a media briefing, as per newsfirst.lk.
WC 2011 final
How did the match pan out?
In 2011, India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium to win their second World Cup title. Chasing 275, India were reeling initially, after they lost both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, Gautam Gambhir (97) rescued Team India at the crucial juncture. Later on, MS Dhoni (91*) guided India to victory with 10 balls to spare.
Claim
'The World Cup final was fixed'
Previously, Aluthgamage stated the World cup final was fixed. "The 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the minister of sports," Aluthgamage had said. "However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, the game we could have won, was fixed."
Players
Sangakkara, Jayawardene hit back at the claims
Sri Lankan veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene slammed the former Sports Minister's claims. "Then no one needs to speculate and can get to the bottom of this. That should be the most prudent course of action," Sangakkara had said. "Is the elections around the corner Looks like the circus has started. names and evidence?" tweeted Jayawardene.
Match-fixing
Sri Lanka criminalized match-fixing in 2019
In 2019, Sri Lanka became the first major cricket-playing country in South Asia to criminalize match-fixing, with punishments including a 10-year prison sentence. The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) had helped the then Sri Lanka government draft the legislation in the wake of extensive investigations. Several Lankan cricketers including former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, were found guilty of breaching the corruption code.