After claiming 2011 World Cup final was fixed, former Sri Lanka Sports Minister now says it's only his 'suspicion'

Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had recently stunned the entire cricket fraternity by claiming that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai was fixed. Aluthgamage was Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister when the World Cup took place in India.

In the iconic final at the Wankhede Stadium, MS Dhoni and his troops trounced the Lankan men to lift the trophy after 28 years. India won the final by six wickets with 10 balls to spare and it was the first instance of a team winning the mega-event on their home soil.

After electing to bat first in the final of the showpiece event, Sri Lanka managed to amass 274 runs on the scoreboard. Mahela Jayawardene rose to the occasion and steered the Lankan lions to a formidable total with his 103-run knock. He also received support from Kumar Sangakkara and Nuwan Kulasekara.

However, Jayawardene’s stupendous knock turned futile after Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni emerged as the architects of India’s run-chase. Gambhir (97) and Dhoni (91*) ensured that India lifted the coveted trophy after a long wait of 28 years.

I want my suspicion investigated: Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister

Aluthgamage refrained from involving cricketers but claimed that certain groups were definitely involved in the match-fixing. “I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” Aluthgamage had said.

The bold allegation by ex-Sports Minister received a lot of stick as Sri Lanka veterans like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene slammed him for his baseless claim. “He needs to take his ‘evidence’ to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly,” Sangakkara had tweeted.

Post his bold claim, the Sri Lankan government had recently ordered an enquiry into the matter and Aluthgamage was questioned by the police. The former Sports Minister, however, seemed to have taken a step back as he gave a statement to the police mentioning that he only has suspicion that the final was fixed.

“I want my suspicion investigated. I gave to the Police, a copy of the complaint I lodged with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on 30 October 2011 regarding the said allegation as then Sports Minister,” said the former Sports Minister as quoted by Times Now.