2018 cricket pitch fixing and betting scandal (edit)
Revision as of 23:26, 2 July 2021
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The groundsman of the Galle International Stadium who is also the assistant manager of the stadium gave a statement to Al Jazeera that he can manage pitches in such a way that it would favour either batsmen or bowlers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/exclusive-cricket-match-fixers-caught-act-sri-lanka-180525191333678.html|title=Exclusive: Cricket match-fixers caught in the act in Sri Lanka|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-05-26}}</ref> | The groundsman of the Galle International Stadium who is also the assistant manager of the stadium gave a statement to Al Jazeera that he can manage pitches in such a way that it would favour either batsmen or bowlers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/exclusive-cricket-match-fixers-caught-act-sri-lanka-180525191333678.html|title=Exclusive: Cricket match-fixers caught in the act in Sri Lanka|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-05-26}}</ref> | ||
The Al Jazeera's Investigation Unit also revealed that Hasan Raza, Jeevantha Kulatunga, and Dilhara Lokuhettige were preparing to make money by organizing and arranging a fake tournament in the UAE solely to make a huge collection of money to fix matches in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/exclusive-al-jazeera-exposes-players-cashing-match-fixing-180527185836956.html|title=Exclusive: Al Jazeera exposes players cashing in on match-fixing|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> Al Jazeera also claimed that another businessman from India, Aneel Munawar, who also has close connections with crime boss [[Dawood Ibrahim]] is assumed to have dealt with a few international cricketers so as to have them | The Al Jazeera's Investigation Unit also revealed that Hasan Raza, Jeevantha Kulatunga, and Dilhara Lokuhettige were preparing to make money by organizing and arranging a fake tournament in the UAE solely to make a huge collection of money to fix matches in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/exclusive-al-jazeera-exposes-players-cashing-match-fixing-180527185836956.html|title=Exclusive: Al Jazeera exposes players cashing in on match-fixing|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> Al Jazeera also claimed that another businessman from India, Aneel Munawar, who also has close connections with crime boss [[Dawood Ibrahim]] is assumed to have dealt with a few international cricketers so as to have them underperform on the international cricket level by giving them huge bribes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2018/05/exclusive-al-jazeera-exposes-match-fixer-mumbai-180526162256017.html|title=Exclusive: Al Jazeera exposes the match-fixer from Mumbai|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-29}}</ref> Al Jazeera also released photographs which were taken in Sri Lanka's [[Cinnamon Grand Colombo]] related to Aneel Munawar, who was standing just some distance away from the former English cricketers, [[Tim Bresnan]] and [[Graeme Swann]]. Both of them were part of the England's squad at the [[2012 ICC World Twenty20]] which was held in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/match-fixer-pictured-metres-international-players-180531145616457.html|title=Match-fixer pictured metres away from international players|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-06-01}}</ref> | ||
It was also later identified that the former Secretary of the Galle District Cricket Association, [[Halambage Premasiri]], who was shot dead in 2016 along with his son was also subsequently revealed to have connections regarding Galle pitch fixing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/05/halambage-premasiri-homicide-and-match-fixing/|title=Halambage Premasiri homicide and match-fixing |date=2018-05-30|work=Sri Lanka News |access-date=2018-05-31|language=en-US}}</ref> It was evident that Al Jazeera started investigations on pitch tampering incident just before the planned murder of [[Halambage Premasiri]], which still remains a mystery. | It was also later identified that the former Secretary of the Galle District Cricket Association, [[Halambage Premasiri]], who was shot dead in 2016 along with his son was also subsequently revealed to have connections regarding Galle pitch fixing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/05/halambage-premasiri-homicide-and-match-fixing/|title=Halambage Premasiri homicide and match-fixing |date=2018-05-30|work=Sri Lanka News |access-date=2018-05-31|language=en-US}}</ref> It was evident that Al Jazeera started investigations on pitch tampering incident just before the planned murder of [[Halambage Premasiri]], which still remains a mystery. | ||
=== West Indies v Sri Lanka 2018 ball tampering controversy allegations targeting Sri Lankan team === | === West Indies v Sri Lanka 2018 ball tampering controversy allegations targeting Sri Lankan team === | ||
Considering the pitch fixing allegations probed by Al Jazeera-based mainly on Sri Lanka, apparent ball-tampering allegations were made by the match officials and umpires [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2018|against the Sri Lankan team during their test series against the West Indies]]. Prior to the start of Day 3 of the second test match, the Sri Lankan cricket team marched protests against umpires' decision on starting the third day's play with a new ball, thereby replacing the old ball.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/102609/ball-change-controversy-sri-lanka-windies|title=Controversy over change of ball delays start of play in St. Lucia|work=Cricbuzz|access-date=17 June 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44508752|title=West Indies v Sri Lanka: Tourists delay play on day three of second Test amid ball-tampering row|date=2018-06-16|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 June 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Sri Lankan cricket team, led by [[Dinesh Chandimal]], refused to take field on the third day of the test match after showing his disagreement on change of the ball, causing an hour delay to the start of the day after the apparent ball-tampering allegations made by the umpires.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-in-west-indies/sri-lanka-refuse-to-take-field-in-test-ball-tampering-row/articleshow/64615864.cms|title=Sri Lanka refuse to take field in Test 'ball-tampering' row - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> | Considering the pitch fixing allegations probed by Al Jazeera-based mainly on Sri Lanka, apparent ball-tampering allegations were made by the match officials and umpires [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2018|against the Sri Lankan team during their test series against the West Indies]]. Prior to the start of Day 3 of the second test match, the Sri Lankan cricket team marched protests against umpires' decision on starting the third day's play with a new ball, thereby replacing the old ball.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/102609/ball-change-controversy-sri-lanka-windies|title=Controversy over change of ball delays start of play in St. Lucia|work=Cricbuzz|access-date=17 June 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44508752|title=West Indies v Sri Lanka: Tourists delay play on day three of second Test amid ball-tampering row|date=2018-06-16|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 June 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Sri Lankan cricket team, led by [[Dinesh Chandimal]], refused to take the field on the third day of the test match after showing his disagreement on change of the ball, causing an hour delay to the start of the day after the apparent ball-tampering allegations made by the umpires.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-in-west-indies/sri-lanka-refuse-to-take-field-in-test-ball-tampering-row/articleshow/64615864.cms|title=Sri Lanka refuse to take field in Test 'ball-tampering' row - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
Chandimal was found to be guilty of making [[ball tampering]] incidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23842641/sweet-v-sandpaper-why-dinesh-chandimal-tampering-different-australias |title=Sweet v sandpaper - why Chandimal's tampering is different |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> Video evidence indicated that on the second day's play, Chandimal was taking sweets out from his left pocket, putting them in his mouth, and applying saliva to the ball within the space of a few seconds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/06/20/sports/154538/dinesh-chandimal-ball-tampering-sl-captain-banned |title=Dinesh Chandimal ball-tampering: SL captain banned |work=Daily News|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> Two on-field umpires [[Ian Gould]], [[Aleem Dar]], television umpire [[Richard Kettleborough]], and match referee [[Javagal Srinath]] observed the incidence carefully and charged him with one Test ban and two demerit points.<ref name=chandimaltampering>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23842564/dinesh-chandimal-suspended-one-test-found-guilty-changing-ball-condition |title=Chandimal suspended for one Test; could miss four more |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | Chandimal was found to be guilty of making [[ball tampering]] incidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23842641/sweet-v-sandpaper-why-dinesh-chandimal-tampering-different-australias |title=Sweet v sandpaper - why Chandimal's tampering is different |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> Video evidence indicated that on the second day's play, Chandimal was taking sweets out from his left pocket, putting them in his mouth, and applying saliva to the ball within the space of a few seconds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/06/20/sports/154538/dinesh-chandimal-ball-tampering-sl-captain-banned |title=Dinesh Chandimal ball-tampering: SL captain banned |work=Daily News|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> Two on-field umpires [[Ian Gould]], [[Aleem Dar]], television umpire [[Richard Kettleborough]], and match referee [[Javagal Srinath]] observed the incidence carefully and charged him with one Test ban and two demerit points.<ref name=chandimaltampering>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23842564/dinesh-chandimal-suspended-one-test-found-guilty-changing-ball-condition |title=Chandimal suspended for one Test; could miss four more |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
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At the end of the match, the hearing with match referee Javagal Srinath, his team management, and other match officials took place with Chandimal and he wasn't able to recall what it was in his mouth when he polished the ball with saliva.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44539299 |title=Dinesh Chandimal ball-tampering: Sri Lanka captain banned for one Test |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> As a result, match referee handed Chandimal the maximum punishment available under the ICC Code of Conduct, which was two suspension points and a fine of 100% of his match fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/sri-lanka-captain-dinesh-chandimal-banned-for-ball-tampering-1870126 |title=Sri Lanka Captain Dinesh Chandimal Banned For Ball Tampering|publisher=NDTV Sport|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | At the end of the match, the hearing with match referee Javagal Srinath, his team management, and other match officials took place with Chandimal and he wasn't able to recall what it was in his mouth when he polished the ball with saliva.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44539299 |title=Dinesh Chandimal ball-tampering: Sri Lanka captain banned for one Test |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> As a result, match referee handed Chandimal the maximum punishment available under the ICC Code of Conduct, which was two suspension points and a fine of 100% of his match fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/sri-lanka-captain-dinesh-chandimal-banned-for-ball-tampering-1870126 |title=Sri Lanka Captain Dinesh Chandimal Banned For Ball Tampering|publisher=NDTV Sport|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
However, before finishing the match, Chandimal pleaded not guilty for the ball tampering incidence and this caused trouble at the start of Day 3 test match. The conflict started in the morning, where two umpires asked to change the ball used in the previous day with a new ball. Sri Lankan players did not accept that and refused to go into the field for the match. The incidence got worse when coach [[Chandika Hathurusinghe]] and manager [[Asanka Gurusinha]] also got involved with match referee and umpires.<ref name=chandimaltampering /> Over the next two hours, several animated discussions took place between management and cricket officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23822234/how-ball-tampering-episode-unfolded-st-lucia |title=How the ball-tampering episode unfolded in St Lucia |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | However, before finishing the match, Chandimal pleaded not guilty for the ball tampering incidence and this caused trouble at the start of Day 3 test match. The conflict started in the morning, where two umpires asked to change the ball used in the previous day with a new ball. Sri Lankan players did not accept that and refused to go into the field for the match. The incidence got worse when coach [[Chandika Hathurusinghe]] and manager [[Asanka Gurusinha]] also got involved with the match referee and umpires.<ref name=chandimaltampering /> Over the next two hours, several animated discussions took place between management and cricket officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23822234/how-ball-tampering-episode-unfolded-st-lucia |title=How the ball-tampering episode unfolded in St Lucia |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
With that, Srinath took a decision and asked Sri Lanka to take the field before 11:30 am (the scheduled start had been 9:30), or forfeit the game. Players finally agreed to play the match "under protest". Match referee awarded West Indies five penalty runs in the match after the | With that, Srinath took a decision and asked Sri Lanka to take the field before 11:30 am (the scheduled start had been 9:30), or forfeit the game. Players finally agreed to play the match "under protest". The Match referee awarded West Indies five penalty runs in the match after the incident.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/sri-lanka-chandimal-denies-ball-tampering-icc-charge-captain-cricket-a8403816.html |title=Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal denies ball tampering after ICC charge |publisher=INDEPENDENT|accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
On 11 July 2018, ICC concluded its hearing on the trio, who had pleaded guilty to a level-three spirit of cricket offense. His hearing took place before the start of the first Test match [[South African cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018|against South Africa]], and he was found guilty. He received a two-match ban, with [[Suranga Lakmal]] captaining the side in his place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24069701/chandimal-hathurusinghe-gurusinha-opt-south-africa-tests |title=Chandimal, Hathurusingha out of SA Tests |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=11 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/suranga-lakmal-to-captain-the-test-series |title=Suranga Lakmal to Captain the Test series |work=Sri Lanka Cricket |accessdate=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712091027/http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/suranga-lakmal-to-captain-the-test-series |archive-date=12 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 16 July 2018, independent Judicial Commissioner handed down a further eight suspension points with maximum possible punishment for their spirit of cricket offense and suspension for four ODIs as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24110655/dinesh-chandimal-miss-four-more-games-spririt-cricket-breach |title=Chandimal to miss four more games over spirit of cricket breach |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44844156|title=Dinesh Chandimal: Sri Lanka captain banned for two Tests and four ODIs|date=2018-07-16|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> | On 11 July 2018, ICC concluded its hearing on the trio, who had pleaded guilty to a level-three spirit of cricket offense. His hearing took place before the start of the first Test match [[South African cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018|against South Africa]], and he was found guilty. He received a two-match ban, with [[Suranga Lakmal]] captaining the side in his place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24069701/chandimal-hathurusinghe-gurusinha-opt-south-africa-tests |title=Chandimal, Hathurusingha out of SA Tests |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=11 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/suranga-lakmal-to-captain-the-test-series |title=Suranga Lakmal to Captain the Test series |work=Sri Lanka Cricket |accessdate=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712091027/http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/suranga-lakmal-to-captain-the-test-series |archive-date=12 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 16 July 2018, independent Judicial Commissioner handed down a further eight suspension points with maximum possible punishment for their spirit of cricket offense and suspension for four ODIs as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24110655/dinesh-chandimal-miss-four-more-games-spririt-cricket-breach |title=Chandimal to miss four more games over spirit of cricket breach |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44844156|title=Dinesh Chandimal: Sri Lanka captain banned for two Tests and four ODIs|date=2018-07-16|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> | ||
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In a press meet, the SLC vice-president Mohan de Silva commented that he and the SLC were finding it difficult to believe any of the allegations mounted by Al Jazeera on the Galle fixing scandal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/322713-sri-lanka-says-pitch-fixing-claims-difficult-to-believe|title=Sri Lanka says pitch-fixing claims 'difficult to believe'|access-date=2018-05-29|language=en}}</ref> | In a press meet, the SLC vice-president Mohan de Silva commented that he and the SLC were finding it difficult to believe any of the allegations mounted by Al Jazeera on the Galle fixing scandal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/322713-sri-lanka-says-pitch-fixing-claims-difficult-to-believe|title=Sri Lanka says pitch-fixing claims 'difficult to believe'|access-date=2018-05-29|language=en}}</ref> | ||
The SLC also refuted some of the allegations made by Al Jazeera, claiming that it is not a strange thing to prepare a turning bouncy track in Galle for test matches. The SLC defended Al Jazeera's claims on preparing a spin friendly turning pitch to favour the spin bowlers during the 2016 Galle test match between Sri Lanka and Australia where Australia lost 18 out of the 20 wickets to Sri Lankan spinners in the Galle test.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/23630578/a-turning-pitch-galle-normal-thing-slc|title=A turning pitch at Galle is a normal thing - SLC|work=ESPN|access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref> The SLC also reacted negatively to the documentary's claims on pointing out the involvement of the Galle groundsman, stating that the person didn't have any authoritative powers to alter the conditions of the pitch.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23622097/allegedly-corrupt-pitch-curator-not-curator-says-slc|title=Allegedly corrupt pitch curator is not a curator, says SLC|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref> | The SLC also refuted some of the allegations made by Al Jazeera, claiming that it is not a strange thing to prepare a turning bouncy track in Galle for test matches. The SLC defended Al Jazeera's claims on preparing a spin-friendly turning pitch to favour the spin bowlers during the 2016 Galle test match between Sri Lanka and Australia where Australia lost 18 out of the 20 wickets to Sri Lankan spinners in the Galle test.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/23630578/a-turning-pitch-galle-normal-thing-slc|title=A turning pitch at Galle is a normal thing - SLC|work=ESPN|access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref> The SLC also reacted negatively to the documentary's claims on pointing out the involvement of the Galle groundsman, stating that the person didn't have any authoritative powers to alter the conditions of the pitch.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23622097/allegedly-corrupt-pitch-curator-not-curator-says-slc|title=Allegedly corrupt pitch curator is not a curator, says SLC|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref> | ||
The SLC later revealed that the future test matches scheduled against England and [[South African cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018|South African cricket team]] at the Galle cricket stadium in 2018 would be shifted to other cricket grounds following the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/102307/galle-could-lose-south-africa-england-test-matches-sri-lanka-cricket-fixing-al-jazeera-investigations|title=Galle could lose South Africa, England Test matches - Cricbuzz|website=Cricbuzz|access-date=2018-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket/galle-in-danger-of-losing-south-africa-england-test-matches/|title=Galle in Danger of Losing South Africa, England Test matches|date=2018-05-31|work=cricketaddictor|access-date=2018-05-31|language=en-US}}</ref> However, SLC planned not to shift the matches from Galle due to the unavailability of other cricket grounds to host test matches. | The SLC later revealed that the future test matches scheduled against England and [[South African cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018|South African cricket team]] at the Galle cricket stadium in 2018 would be shifted to other cricket grounds following the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/102307/galle-could-lose-south-africa-england-test-matches-sri-lanka-cricket-fixing-al-jazeera-investigations|title=Galle could lose South Africa, England Test matches - Cricbuzz|website=Cricbuzz|access-date=2018-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket/galle-in-danger-of-losing-south-africa-england-test-matches/|title=Galle in Danger of Losing South Africa, England Test matches|date=2018-05-31|work=cricketaddictor|access-date=2018-05-31|language=en-US}}</ref> However, SLC planned not to shift the matches from Galle due to the unavailability of other cricket grounds to host test matches. | ||