Aravinda de Silva Reckons That A Probe Should Be Made To Expose The Lies Of 2011 World Cup Final Fixing Claim

Aravinda de Silva, former Sri Lankan captain and a World Cup-winner, has refuted the claims made by the country’s former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage regarding the 2011 World Cup final, adding that a probe should be conducted to expose the lies.

Aravinda de Silva, who scored a match-winning century to help Sri Lanka win the World Cup title in 1996 urged the BCCI to conduct an impartial probe, as he feels that such allegations affect a lot of people including Indian cricketers, who ‘deservingly won the World Cup title that year’

“When serious allegations like these are being made, it affects a lot of people. In this case not only us, the selectors, the players, and the team management but Indian cricketers who deservingly won the world title. We need to clear this once and for all for the greater good of the game we love,” Aravinda de Silva told ‘The Sunday Times’.

“We cannot let people get away all the time with lies. I request everyone, ICC, BCCI and SLC to investigate this immediately,” he added.

“Just like we cherished our World Cup victory, players like Sachin (Tendulkar) cherish these moments for the rest of their lives. I think in the interest of Sachin and the millions of cricket fans across India, it’s the duty of the Indian government and their cricket board to initiate an impartial inquiry to see whether they have won a fixed World Cup.” De Silva reckoned.

“These are all flimsy allegations”- Aravinda de Silva

Notably, the Sri Lankan government has ordered a probe into the matter. Aravinda de Silva, who was a part of the selection committee during the 2011 World Cup, lambasted the former sports minister, terming him a man of ‘zero credibility’.

“These are all flimsy allegations and if he had any doubt he should have gone to ICC ACU then,” Arvainda de Silva said.

“Here is a man who has no reputation or credibility trying to cast wild allegations at all those who were involved with that game. I am ready to face any inquiry. But these liars should not be spared. As I said they are tarnishing our hard-earned reputations.” he added.

Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara had responded to the claims, urging the sports minister to go to the ICC with ‘evidence’.

Fixing claims regarding the 2011 World Cup final is not new. Back in 2017, Arjuna Ranatunga had alledged the same.

When we lost, I was distressed and I had a doubt. We must investigate what happened to Sri Lanka at the 2011 World Cup final,” Ranatunga had claimed in 2017.

Also Read: Mahela Jayawardene Responds To Report Of 2011 World Cup Final Being Fixed

Also Read: After Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara Responds To Former Sports Minister’s Claims