Sri Lanka’s former minister for sport, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, has claimed that the 2011 World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India was fixed.
Speaking to News 1st, Aluthgamage said: “The 2011 World Cup final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the minister of sports. I state with responsibility; however, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. That game against India in 2011, a game which we could have won, was fixed.”
“I state with responsibility, and I can come forward for debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game.”
In the final, Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, posted 274 for the loss of six wickets. Mahela Jayawardena scored 103 off 88 with 13 fours and guided his team to the respectable score. But Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 took the Men in Blue over the finishing line.
Meanwhile, Jayawardene refuted Aluthgamage’s claims on Twitter, soon after the politician’s comments were made public. He even asked for the names and evidence, involved in the matter. Jayawardena took to Twitter and wrote, “Is the elections around the corner? Looks like the circus has started names and evidence. #SLpolitics #ICC.”
Is the elections around the corner 🤔Looks like the circus has started 🤡 names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC https://t.co/bA4FxdqXhu
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 18, 2020
Finally, Kumar Sangakkara, who was the Sri Lankan skipper in the final, has opened up on the issue. Sangakkara, who is also the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said that the former minister needs to take the evidence to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The veteran replied to Jayawardene and wrote, “He [Mahindananda Aluthgamage], needs to take his “evidence” to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly.”
He needs to take his “evidence” to the ICC and the Anti corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated throughly https://t.co/51w2J5Jtpc
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 18, 2020
