Cricket

Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating three counts of the anti-corruption code. The charges stem from alleged corrupt approaches made to Jayawickrama in international matches and the Lanka Premier League (LPL).According to the ICC statement, Jayawickrama, 25, has been charged under articles 2.4.4 and 2.4.7 of the code. These charges include:* Failing to report an approach to engage in match-fixing in future international matches to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) without unnecessary delay.* Failing to report an approach to approach another player on behalf of a corrupter to engage in match-fixing in the 2021 LPL to the ACU without unnecessary delay.* Obstructing the investigation by deleting messages containing the approaches and offers to engage in corrupt conduct.Jayawickrama has 14 days from August 6 to respond to the charges. The ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have agreed that the ICC will handle the LPL charge alongside the charges related to international matches.Jayawickrama made his international debut in a Test match against Bangladesh in April 2021. He has since played five Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is for Sri Lanka. His last appearance for the national team was in a T20I series against Australia in 2022.In the 2021 LPL, Jayawickrama was part of the Jaffna Kings team that won the title. He played one match that season, taking two wickets. In the 2024 LPL, he represented the Dambulla Sixers.The ICC's anti-corruption code is designed to protect the integrity of the sport and prevent corruption from infiltrating cricket. The charges against Jayawickrama are a serious matter, and the ICC will investigate the allegations thoroughly.

The scourge of corruption in cricket continues to plague the sport, but a recent incident involving a former Kenya international and a Ugandan player during the ongoing T20 World Cup was swiftly dealt with by the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit.According to sources, the incident occurred during the league stage matches in Guyana, where a former Kenya pacer repeatedly contacted a Ugandan team member from different numbers. The Ugandan player promptly reported the approach to ACU officials on site, adhering to the ICC's strict anti-corruption protocol.The development prompted the officials to raise a red flag against the former Kenya player and inform all associate teams about his suspicious behavior. Sources indicate that associate nations, compared to major teams, are often targeted by corrupt individuals due to their perceived vulnerability. However, in this case, the player's prompt reporting prevented any potential wrongdoing.Uganda ended their T20 World Cup campaign with a memorable victory over Papua New Guinea but suffered losses to Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies. The team played three of their four league games in Guyana, where the alleged approach took place.Another source emphasized that players are frequently approached, particularly from smaller nations. In major events like the T20 World Cup, scrutiny is heightened, and any reported approaches are thoroughly investigated by the ICC ACU.The ICC's anti-corruption code has been updated as of June 1 to empower the governing body and its member boards to proactively investigate corruption incidents and protect the integrity of the game. The code covers all cricket played under the auspices of the ICC and its members and applies to all participants, including players, coaches, managers, and officials.All international players are regularly briefed on potential threats and are well-versed in the anti-corruption code. Corrupt approaches at major events are not uncommon. In the 2011 ODI World Cup in India, Canada's then-20-year-old wicket-keeper Hamza Tariq was approached by alleged bookmakers but reported the matter to the authorities.The ICC's commitment to combating corruption in cricket is unwavering, and the swift action taken in this recent incident demonstrates the organization's determination to protect the sport's integrity.