The Lanka T10 League 2024 has come under scrutiny following allegations of match-fixing, which raise serious concerns about the integrity of the league. Prem Thakkar, an Indian national and co-owner of the Galle Marvels team, was arrested by Sri Lanka’s sports police on Thursday, December 12.
The Lanka T10 League 2024 commenced on December 11 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. This tournament is in full swing, but it has been marred by controversy following match-fixing allegations. According to a report by PTI, Sri Lanka’s sports police have made an arrest in this controversy.
Indian Team Owner Arrested Over Match-Fixing in Lanka T10 League
Indian-origin Prem Thakkar, co-owner of Galle Marvels in the Lanka T10 League, has been arrested following complaints by several players accusing him of extending match-fixing offers.
Thakkar was arrested on Thursday at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, where the Lanka T10 League is taking place. Police confirmed that he is the owner of the Galle Marvels team, one of the six teams competing in the tournament.
“The owner of the ‘Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League, was arrested and will be produced before court on Friday,” Police said.
The owner of the ‘Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League, has been arrested by the police on allegations of match-fixing.#sportspavilionlk #LankaT10 #T10League #danushkaaravinda pic.twitter.com/xRDv7D5CFn
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) December 12, 2024
The owner of the ‘Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League, was arrested by the police from Pallekele for allegedly approaching a player to fix matches, and will be produced before court on December 13- Hiru #LKA pic.twitter.com/t0XiLTdICA
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) December 12, 2024
West Indies Player’s Complaint Over Match-Fixing Request
Several players, including local Sri Lankan cricketers and a West Indies player, reported Prem Thakkar for attempting to involve them in match-fixing. Thakkar allegedly approached them with fixing offers, which they rejected and reported to the anti-fixing unit.
After an investigation, Thakkar was taken into custody on Thursday and is set to appear in court on Friday. Authorities are now investigating the possibility of a larger fixing network being involved.
Sri Lanka Spinner Praveen Jayawickrama Banned for Corruption by ICC
The Lanka T10 League has already been overshadowed by controversies, including recent match-fixing allegations. This is not the first corruption-related issue in Sri Lankan cricket.
Earlier this year, spinner Praveen Jayawickrama was banned from playing all types of cricket for one year by the ICC, with six months suspended, for failing to report an approach related to a fixed match. His admission delayed the inquiry, but Jayawickrama’s confession allows for a potential return in six months.
Sri Lanka Set to Tour New Zealand For White Ball Series
The Sri Lanka national cricket team will tour New Zealand for three ODIs and as many T20Is in December 2024 and January 2025, as announced on December 11. The series is important for both teams, particularly in preparation for the Champions Trophy, which is expected to begin on February 19, 2025.
It is expected to be the last bilateral series for both Sri Lanka and New Zealand before the tournament. New Zealand had visited Sri Lanka the previous month for three ODIs and two T20Is, as well as two Tests in September. The T20I series ended in a draw, and Sri Lanka won the 50-over series and the Tests.
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