COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan court has ordered Indian nationals Yoni Patel and P. Akash to surrender their passports as they face match-fixing charges in the country's unsanctioned Legends Cricket League. .
The two men, who are currently out on bail, are accused of attempting to fix matches during league matches played at Palekele Stadium in Kandy from March 8 to 19.
A team called Rajasthan Kings defeated New York Super Strikers in the final.
Patel is the owner of the Candy Swamp Army team at this event.
Upul Tharanga, former Sri Lanka ODI captain and current national selection committee chairman, and former New Zealand player Neil Bloom have been questioned by the Sports Ministry's Special Investigation Unit about Patel and Akash's approach to match-fixing matches under the under. filed a complaint. Performing in the league.
Patel and Akash were subsequently barred from leaving the country by a magistrate court until the investigation was completed.
This league is not sanctioned by the ICC or Sri Lanka Cricket.
In 2019, Sri Lanka passed a law cracking down on match-fixing and its threats, becoming the first South Asian country to criminalize match-fixing and corruption in sports.
Anyone found guilty faces up to 10 years in prison and must also pay a fine.
The law also seeks to punish acts of omission, such as failure to report corrupt practices.
issued May 16, 2024, 12:04 IST