The integrity of the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, Cricket was once again questioned on Thursday when former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed.
In the final played at the Wankhede Stadium, Sri Lanka posted 274 on the board courtesy Mahela Jayawardena’s majestic century and some handy knocks from Tilakaratne Dilshan and skipper Kumar Sangakkara. While defending the target, Lasith Malinga got rid of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early in India’s chase. However, Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 took India over the finishing line with 6 wickets in hand.
Video – Explainer – Sri Lanka’s new bill to tackle sports corruption
While the former Sports Minister could not reveal any evidence to back his claim, he said he takes full responsibility for his allegations. Aluthgamage further said he does not want to go into the details for the sake of the nation before stating that certain groups were involved in fixing the game.
An alternate ending to the Sri Lanka vs India World Cup final in 2011
“The 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports. I state it with responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game was against India in 2011, a game, which we could have won, was fixed,” Aluthgamage told Sirasa TV.
“I can come forward for a debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this. But certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” he added.
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene quickly responded to the comments from Aluthgamage by asking for names and evidence.
“Is the elections around the corner. Looks like the circus has started. names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC,” Mahela Jayawardene wrote on Twitter.
Is the elections around the corner ?Looks like the circus has started ? names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC https://t.co/bA4FxdqXhu
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 18, 2020
Kumar Sangakkara, then Sri Lanka Captain, also responded to the allegations and asked for evidence. “Then no one needs to speculate and can get to the bottom of this. That should be the most prudent course of action.”, Sangakkara told News 1st.
The 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga had previously called for an investigation into the defeat.
“When we lost, I was distressed and I had a doubt,” he said in July 2017. “We must investigate what happened to Sri Lanka at the 2011 World Cup final.”
“I cannot reveal everything now, but one day I will. There must be an inquiry,” added Ranatunga,
Debunking ‘myths’ from the 2007 World Cup final
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has regularly been involved in corruption controversies over the past few years. Earlier this month, SLC responded and clarified that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was investigating three unnamed former players over alleged corruption after the current Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperruma stated that three players are being investigated during a function held at the Ministry Auditorium on the 2nd of June.
Last year, Sri Lanka became the first South Asian country to introduce stern laws for match-fixing and tightened sports betting restrictions.
Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilhara Lokuhettige was suspended in 2018 for corruption relating to the T10 league. He was the third Sri Lankan charged under the ICC anti-corruption code, following former captain and ex-chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, and former paceman Nuwan Zoysa. Jayasuriya was found guilty of failing to cooperate with a match-fixing probe and banned for two years. Zoysa was suspended for match-fixing.
