Sri Lankan Spinner Praveen Jayawickrama Charged with Corruption by ICC
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.