Anti corruption charge against spinner Praveen
Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been charged with breaching three counts of the Anti-Corruption Code relating to corrupt contacts in international matches and the Lanka Premier League. According to an ICC statement, 25-year-old Jayawickrama has been charged with the following charges under Articles 2.4.4 and 2.4.7 of the Code.
Failing to report to the Anti-Corruption Unit without unnecessary delay the details of a contact he received to engage in fixing in future international matches. Failing to report to the Anti-Corruption Unit without unnecessary delay the details of a contact in which he was asked to contact another player on behalf of a corrupt individual to engage in fixing in the 2021 Lanka Premier League.
Sri Lankan spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been charged with breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code. The charges relate to alleged involvement in activities that violate the integrity of the game. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has initiated proceedings, and Jayawickrama has been provisionally suspended, pending a formal investigation.
The ICC’s strict anti-corruption measures aim to preserve the sport’s credibility, and any violations are met with severe consequences. Jayawickrama now faces a critical period as the case unfolds, with potential penalties including suspension or a ban from cricket if found guilty of the charges.
Obstructing an investigation by deleting messages containing an offer
Obstructing an investigation by deleting messages containing a contact and offer to engage in corrupt conduct. Jayawickrama has 14 days from August 6 to respond to the charges. As per the Anti-Corruption Code, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the ICC have agreed that the ICC will take action in relation to the allegations relating to international matches as well as the LPL allegation.
Jayawickrama, who made his international debut in Tests against Bangladesh in April 2021, has played five Tests, five ODIs and five T20Is. His last appearance for Sri Lanka was in the home T20 series against Australia in 2022. In LPL 2021, Jayawickrama was part of the Jaffna Kings team that won their second title. He played one match that season, taking two wickets. In LPL 2024, he played for the Dambulla Sixers.
Jayawickrama has a response to the allegations
As per Articles 1.7.4.1 and 1.8.1 of the Code, Sri Lanka Cricket and the ICC have agreed that the ICC will take action in relation to the international match allegations as well as the Lanka Premier League allegations. Mr. Jayawickrama has 14 days from 6 August 2024 to respond to the charges. The ICC will not be making any further comment in relation to these charges at this stage.
Found guilty of deleting messages relating to contact
Jayawickrama was found guilty of deleting messages relating to contact to allegedly conduct corrupt practices. The Sri Lanka national cricket team spinner has now been given 14 days from 6 August 2024 to respond to the charges and provide his explanation on the allegations.
Sri Lanka Cricket and the International Cricket Council have agreed that the ICC will act on the charges relating to the Lanka Premier League as well as international matches. This comes after the spinner was found guilty of breaching Article 1.7.4.1 and 1.8.1 of the Code.
Praveen Jayawickrama’s Career for the Cricket Team
Praveen Jayawickrama has been one of the most exciting spinners to have played for the country. When he took the field, he set the stage on fire with his sensational bowling performances for the team in all three formats of the game and even looked unstoppable.
Jayawickrama has played 15 international matches including 5 ODIs, 5 Tests, and 5 T20Is for the Sri Lanka national cricket team and has taken a total of 32 wickets. He last played for the team in the T20I series against Australia in 2022 and has been out of the team since then.
The developments surrounding Praveen Jayawickrama might have put the Sri Lankan team under pressure but they have scaled a new high recently. The Charith Asalanka-led side defeated the India national cricket team in the three-match ODI series by a margin of 2-0 and registered their first ODI series win over the opposition since 1997.
The first game of the series between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw. Sri Lanka then won the match by 32 runs before defeating the Rohit Sharma-led side by a big margin of 110 runs in the final game. Their spinners held the mighty Indian batting line-up helpless and did not allow them to score freely.
Conclusion
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has charged Sri Lankan player Praveen Jayawickrama with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Failing to report to the Anti-Corruption Unit without unnecessary delay the details of a contact he received to facilitate fixing in future international matches.
Failing to report to the Anti-Corruption Unit the details of a contact he received to facilitate fixing in the 2021 Lanka Premier League, after he was asked to contact another player on behalf of a corrupt individual to facilitate fixing in the 2021 Lanka Premier League. Obstructing an investigation by deleting messages containing contacts and offers to engage in corrupt conduct.
