The Lanka T10 League 2024 has come under scrutiny following allegations of match-fixing, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the league. Sri Lanka Sports Police arrested Prem Thakkar, an Indian national and co-owner of the Galle Marvels team, on Thursday 12 December.
The Lanka T10 League 2024 began on December 11 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. This tournament is in full swing, but has been marred by controversy after allegations of match-fixing. According to a report by PTI, the Sri Lankan Sports Police made an arrest in the controversy.
Indian team owner arrested for match-fixing in Sri Lanka T10 League
Indian-origin Prem Thakkar, co-owner of Galle Marvels in the Sri Lankan T10 League, was arrested after complaints from several players who accused him of extending match-fixing offers.
Thakkar was arrested on Thursday at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, where the Lanka T10 League is being played. Police confirmed that he is the owner of the Galle Marvels team, one of the six teams competing in the tournament.
“The owner of the Galle Marvels team in the Sri Lanka T10 League has been arrested and will be produced in court on Friday,” police said.
Police have arrested the owner of the Galle Marvels team in the Sri Lankan T10 League, on charges of match-fixing.#sportspavilionlk #LankaT10 #T10League #Dhanushkaaravinda pic.twitter.com/xRDv7D5CFn
– Danuska Aravinda (@DanuskaAravinda) December 12, 2024
Police in Pallekele have arrested the owner of the Galle Marvels team in the Sri Lanka T10 League, on charges of approaching a player to fix matches. He will be produced in court on December 13 – Hero #LKA pic.twitter.com/t0XiLTdICA
– Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) December 12, 2024
Complaint by a West Indies player regarding a call for match-fixing
Several players, including local Sri Lankan cricketers and a West Indies player, reported Prem Thakkar for trying to involve them in match-fixing. Thakkar allegedly approached them to fix the offers, but they rejected them and informed the anti-tampering unit.
After investigation, Thakkar was taken into custody on Thursday and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Authorities are now investigating the possible involvement of a larger reform network.
Sri Lanka spinner Pravin Jayawickrama has been banned by the ICC on corruption charges
The Sri Lanka T10 League has already been overshadowed by controversies, including recent match-fixing allegations. This is not the first case related to corruption in Sri Lankan cricket.
Earlier this year, spinner Praveen Jayawickrama was banned from all forms of cricket for one year by the ICC, with a six-month suspension, for not reporting an approach related to a fixed match. His confession delayed the investigation, but Jayawickrama's confession allows for a possible return within six months.
Sri Lanka are set to tour New Zealand for the White Ball series
The Sri Lanka national cricket team will tour New Zealand for three ODIs and several T20Is in December 2024 and January 2025, as announced on 11 December. The series is important for both teams, especially in the build-up to the Champions Cup, which is expected to start on February 19, 2025.
It is expected to be the last bilateral series for both Sri Lanka and New Zealand before the tournament. New Zealand had visited Sri Lanka the previous month for three ODIs and two T20Is, as well as two Tests in September. The T20I series ended in a draw, and Sri Lanka won the 50-over series and the Tests.
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