CCB arrests Bengaluru Blasters bowling coach and batsman for match-fixing in KPL 2018

Karnataka Premier League (KPL), an Indian T20 tournament was reportedly hit with alleged charges of match-fixing and last month a famous KPL drummer Bhavesh Bafna was arrested by CCB  (Central Criminal Branch) police for acting as a medium between bookies and KPL players. Now, CCB has churned out some more grot that is having connections with the match-fixing. In further inquiry now police have come up with two more arrests.

Bengaluru Blasters bowling coach Vishnu Prasad and batsman M Vishwanathan got arrested on Friday by CCB. There are serious claims that they were involved in match-fixing during a match in KPL 2018. And the joint commissioner (Crime) has given a proper clarification to the media over their participation in illegal activities.

CCB gets a breakthrough in KPL 2018 match-fixing scandal

The joint commissioner, Sandeep Patil recited that the above mentioned have been busted because they were accused of fixing a match with bookies. “The accused were involved in fixing a match in 2018 between Bangalore and Belgavi teams. The accused batsman batted slowly for which he got Rs 5 lakh. Few bookies were involved in the match-fixing and they will be arrested soon,” Sandeep Patil said as quoted by Deccan Chronicle.

According to the sources, the arrests were made on the basis of information given by drummer Bhavesh Bafna who got arrested by CCB in October 2019. The drummer during the interrogation revealed that he booked a batsman of Bengaluru Blasters. But, it was only possible with the help of bowling coach Vinu Prasad.

It is also pretty evident from the scorecard of the match between Bengaluru and Hubli in KPL 2018 in which Vishwanathan scored 9 runs in 17 balls before getting dismissed. The CCB had also arrested Ali Asfak Thara, the franchise owner of Belagavi Panthers in October 2019.

An official feels that the number of arrests can go up but they are in search of some proper evidence. “Going by the statements of the arrested persons, the number of arrests, which includes cricket players, will go up. We are gathering clinching evidence before making any more arrests,” the official added to New Indian Express.

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