Sri Lankan spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has received a one-year ban from all forms of cricket following a violation of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code.
The ICC charged the 26-year-old spinner cricketer in August with three breaches of the code. These charges included failing to report an approach to engage in match-fixing and obstructing an ongoing investigation. In response, Jayawickrama admitted to the charges, resulting in his suspension.
“After admitting to the charges, Jayawickrama has agreed to a one-year ban, with the final six months of this suspension being conditional,” the ICC confirmed in a statement.
The investigation revealed that Jayawickrama was approached to manipulate international matches and was also asked to contact another player to participate in match-fixing activities during the 2021 season of the Lanka Premier League.
Jayawickrama made his international debut for Sri Lanka in April 2021, making an impressive start by taking 11 wickets in his maiden Test against Bangladesh. Since then, he has represented Sri Lanka in five Test matches, five One-Day Internationals, and five T20 Internationals. However, his last appearance for the national team was in June 2022.
This suspension comes as a significant setback for Jayawickrama, who was seen as a promising talent for Sri Lanka’s future cricket endeavors. The ban serves as a strong reminder of the ICC’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in cricket and the importance of maintaining the sport’s integrity at all levels.
