The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly investigating an alleged attempt of fixing matches in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20, which is scheduled to kick-off on Thursday (November 26) in Hambantota.
Newspaper 'Lankadeepa' reported complaints of alleged corrupt approaches by a former Sri Lanka cricketer to an LPL player, adding that the matter is now being seriously looked into by ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
"The former national player who allegedly made the approach is currently overseas," the newspaper report says. This player, the report further noted, was previously accused of wrong-doings but got later cleared of match-fixing charges by the ICC.
The ICC declined to comment regarding their ongoing investigation while Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) anti-corruption body too didn't reveal any details.
It is known now, however, that the LPL will commence with close scrutiny of ICC officials along with the SLC administration and the Sri Lanka government.
Former left-arm pacer Nuwan Zoysa last week said he would appeal against the decision taken by an ICC tribunal that finds him guilty of three match-fixing offences after a two-year-long probe.
Last year, the Sri Lankan government criminalised corruption in sports, which was a response of sorts by the then sports minister Harin Fernando to an ICC finding that the Island nation is the world's most corrupt cricket land.
Since then, there have also been anti-corruption programmes conducted for players and officials by SLC and ICC. A 24-hour hotline had also been set-up to report any corrupt activity.
(Inputs from AFP)
