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September 11, 2010

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Home » Sports » Cricket

Sri Lankan clean chit for Dilshan

Source: Agencies | September 11, 2010, Saturday | Print Edition

SRI Lanka's cricket officials denied media reports that batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has been reported for possible involvement with illegal bookmakers.

However, in a separate statement released yesterday, it confirmed that medium pace bowler Dilhara Fernando had reported an approach by a suspected bookmaker last year.

It said the International Cricket Council is investigating.

A British newspaper reported yesterday that Dilshan's name features in a team manager's report over an alleged meeting with a bookmaker in London while the team was participating in the T20 World Cup last year.

The newspaper said the report on Dilshan was filed after team captain Kumar Sangakkara passed on suspicions that his opening batsman had been spotted with a bookie.

"Kumar Sangakkara and the team management never reported a specific player or players to the ICC anti-corruption and security unit or to Sri Lanka Cricket administration," a cricket board statement said.

Allegations of match-fixing over the past weeks have tainted the game's reputation after three Pakistan players were suspended by the ICC over match fixing allegations.

A British tabloid alleged that the three players, test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir accepted money to bowl deliberate no-balls at predetermined points during the fourth test against England at Lord's.

The case is still being investigated.

The suspended trio flew home yesterday, promising to return to England when requested to cooperate with the investigation.

"The players are looking forward to being reunited with their families," the law firm representing the players said in a statement. "They remain available to cooperate fully with the police investigation and have each given undertakings to return to the UK if required to do so."

The statement denied newspaper reports that Asif was seeking asylum to remain in Britain.

A fourth player, Wahab Riaz, is also to be questioned by police. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt said a police interview with the fast bowler has been arranged for next Tuesday but the lawyer representing Riaz said no date had been set.

"I can confirm that no arrangements have yet been made with the police," Addleshaw Goddard's Elizabeth Robertson said.

The players are at the center of a fixing scandal that erupted two weeks ago when a British tabloid alleged that they accepted money to bowl deliberate no-balls at predetermined points during the fourth test against England at Lord's.
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