Almost a decade since that famous night at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Sri Lanka’s sports ministry on Friday (June 19) ordered an investigation to take place regarding the 2011 World Cup final between the Island nation and eventual winners, India.
The probe has been launched following former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s allegation that the national cricket team’s loss to the neighbours was fixed.
In a statement, it has been confirmed that sports minister Dullas Alahapperuma has ordered the investigation and asked for a report on its progress every two weeks.
On Alahapperuma’s directive, sports secretary, KADS Ruwanchandra, had made a complaint on the matter to the ministry's investigation unit.
In a claim that was mocked by former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, Aluthgamage alleged that his country "sold" the game to India. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardena asked for evidence on the matter, which hasn't yet been provided by the former sports minister.
"Today I am telling you that we sold the 2011 world cup, I said this when I was the sports minister," said Aluthgamage in an interview with local TV channel 'Sirasa'.
"As a country, I do not want to announce this. I can’t exactly remember if it was 2011 or 2012. But we were to win that game."
In a tweet, Sangakkara, without responding in anger, asked the politician to back his claim with some evidence if he has one.
"He needs to take his ‘evidence’ to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly," he quote tweeted his ex-teammate, who tweeted, "Is the election around the corner...like the circus has started...names and evidence?"
Aluthgamage said that in his opinion no players were involved in fixing the result, "but certain parties were." He and the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa were among the invitees for the marquee contest on April 2nd that year.
Batting first on the big day, Sri Lanka posted a difficult target of 275 for the Indians on the back of a terrific century from Jayawardena (103*).
However, the Indians chased that down with more than an over to spare, as skipper MS Dhoni (91*) and Gautam Gambhir (97) played memorable knocks under pressure.
India lifted the World Cup after 28 years.
(Inputs from PTI)
