Sri Lankan veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva has demanded the ICC, BCCI and SLC for launching a probe looking into the match-fixing allegations regarding the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup. Aravinda was the Chairman of Selection committee at the time of the 2011 World cup in India.
De Silva felt that ‘no one should get away telling lies’ and making accusations as grave as this. Moreover, Silva reckoned that allegations demean the Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers and management involved in the match.
The Lankan middle-order great, Aravinda, smashed a match-winning ton in the final of the 1996 ODI World Cup, which helped the Islanders win over Australia.
Earlier, the ex-sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage demanded an investigation to look at the surprise changes made on the day of the final at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
The Lions included Chamara Kapugedara in place of Chamara Silva, Thisara Perera in place of injured Angelo Matthews, Suraj Randiv in place of Ajantha Mendis; and Nuwan Kulasekara ahead of Rangana Herath, who played against New Zealand in the semi-finals of the tournament.
“Just like we cherished our World Cup victory, players like Sachin (Tendulkar) cherish these moments for the rest of their lives. I think in the interest of Sachin and the millions of cricket fans across India, the Indian government and their cricket board must initiate an impartial inquiry to see whether they have won a fixed World Cup,” De Silva was quoted as saying by The Sunday Times.
“When serious allegations like these are being made, it affects a lot of people. In this case not only us, the selectors, the players and the team management but Indian cricketers who deservingly won the world title. We need to clear this once and for all for the greater good of the game we love,” he added.
Lankan batting stalwarts, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara also took to Twitter, delivering scathing blows to allegations made by the former politician.
“Here is a man who has no reputation or credibility trying to cast wild allegations at all those who were involved with that game. I am ready to face any inquiry. But these liars should not be spared. As I said they are tarnishing our hard-earned reputations,” concluded Aravinda.
