SIU investigate fixing claims at Legends League
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for Preventing Sports Offences is currently investigating claims made by two retired cricketers that they were pressured into engaging in corrupt practices during the ongoing Legend Cricket League—a seven-team cricket tournament in Kandy featuring retired international cricketers. The tournament began at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on March 8 with the participation of a large number of retired international stars but it had failed to attract a decent crowd to watch matches from the stands.
Following the claims by Upul Tharanga, Sri Lanka’s current chairman of selectors representing Kandy Samp Army, and Neil Broom from New Zealand playing for Punjab Royals, the SIU imposed a travel ban on the two individuals identified as the Kandy Samp team owner and the Punjab Royals manager. The travel ban was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena.
The tournament, held at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium since March 8, is not sanctioned by the International Cricket Council or Sri Lanka Cricket.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Tharanga reported the approach to the SIU, while Broom reported the matter to New Zealand Cricket, who then informed ICC investigators.
According to SIU findings, the team manager summoned Broom to his room and instructed him to score less than 10 runs after facing more than 10 balls.
Established by LCT T20 League Limited, the tournament was initially held in India last year. The organisers chose to host it in Sri Lanka, drafting legends from Pakistan, India, West Indies, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan into seven teams.
Sources indicate that SIU officials visited Kandy yesterday to further investigate the matter.
“We have observed such matches targeting the betting community,” stated a senior official involved in the case.
They emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to verify the claims, reminding that Sri Lanka has robust laws to prosecute those involved in corrupt practices.
Sri Lanka became the first South Asian country to enact laws criminalising sports-related offences, preventing individuals in the betting and gaming industry from accessing or using insider information.