Sri Lankan Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has ordered an inquiry into the match fixing allegations during 2011 World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India.
Former Sports Minister of the island nation Mahindananda Aluthgamage had alleged that Sri Lanka, led by Kumara Sangakkara, had sold the World Cup final, which was won by the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India.
The matter has been referred to the ministry’s investigation unit by Sports Secretary KADS Ruwanchandra on Alahapperuma’s directive.
Aluthgamage’s claim had been ridiculed by former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The duo have sought evidence from the minister, who now holds the Renewable Energy and Power portfolio.
Also read: Sri Lanka ‘sold’ 2011 WC final to India, alleges Minister
In an interview with local TV channel ‘Sirasa’, Aluthgamage had alleged that the final was fixed. India had responded Sri Lanka]s 274 for six with 277 for four in 48.2 overs despite having lost Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar for only 31 runs in 6.1 overs.
“Today I am telling you that we sold the 2011 world cup, I said this when I was the sports minister,” Aluthgamage, who was the sports minister at the time, said.
“As a country I do not want to announce this. I can’t exactly remember if it was 2011 or 2012. But we were to win that game,” added the politician, who was the state minister of power in the current caretaker government which is in-charge until the election to be held on August 5.
“He needs to take his ‘evidence’ to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly,” Sangakkara had tweeted.
Aluthgamage said that in his opinion no players were involved in fixing the result, “but certain parties were.” Aluthgamage had also previously hinted that the game was fixed.
Both Aluthgamage and the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa were among the invitees at the final played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga had also called for a probe on alleged match-fixing in the 2011 World Cup final.