2011 World Cup Match-Fixing Probe: Sangakkara, Jayawardene Called Up For Investigation

The match-fixing allegations in the ICC World Cup finals between India and Sri Lanka which has created quite the flutter in Lankan cricketing circles were initially made by Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was the Sports Minister of Sri Lanka at the time.

Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene

Amidst a storm engulfing Sri Lankan cricket over allegations of match-fixing in the 2011 World Cup final , former Sri Lanka stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have been summoned by the special investigation unit of Sri Lankan Sports Ministry to appear before them as part of the probe into the matter. The investigation unit set up by Sri Lanka's Sports Ministry for carrying out the investigation over the alleged match fixing in the 2011 World Cup final, has already summoned former cricketers Aravinda de Silva and Upul Tharanga to appear before the court, ESPNCricinfo reported. The match-fixing allegations in the ICC World Cup finals between India and Sri Lanka which has created quite the flutter in Lankan cricketing circles were initially made by Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was the Sports Minister of Sri Lanka at the time. As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, Aluthgamage has claimed that he is already in possession of evidence which proves that fixing occurred in the finals but nothing substantial has been made public yet. The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has also never stated the final was under suspicion. Aluthgamage's allegations come at the back of the four changes that Sri Lanka made to their playing XI for the World Cup final against India at the Wankhede. However, Sangakkara (Sri Lanka skipper at that time), Jayawardene (then vice-captain), and de Silva (who was chief selector) have repeatedly defended their position, stating that those changes were due to the injuries to two players - Angelo Mathews and Muttiah Muralitharan. India ended a 28-year old long wait as it defeated Sri Lanka in the finals of the 2011 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium to win their second World Cup title.