‘He needs to take his evidence to the ICC’ – Kumar Sangakkara on former Sri Lanka Minister’s claims of match-fixing in 2011 World Cup final

Mahindananda Aluthgamage, the former Sri Lanka Sports Minister, has made some startling revelations, surrounding the 2011 World Cup final. He reckons that the match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was marred with match-fixing. On April 2, 2011, the Men in Blue beat the Islanders by six wickets to win the championship 28 years after Kapil Dev’s heist in 1983.

Aluthgamage said he won’t be putting forth further details keeping in mind the reputation of his country. However, he was ready to take full responsibility for his comments. He didn’t give any evidence either for the claims he made.

“The 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports. I state it with responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game was against India in 2011, a game, which we could have won, was fixed,” Aluthgamage was quoted as saying in News 1st.

In the final, the Lankans, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, posted 274 for the loss of six wickets. Mahela Jayawardena scored 103 off 88 with 13 fours and guided his team to the respectable score. But Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 took the Men in Blue over the finishing line.

After Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara responds  

In the meantime, Jayawardena had a witty tweet on the revelation. He asked for the names and evidences, involved in the matter. Jayawardena took to Twitter and wrote, “Is the elections around the corner Looks like the circus has started names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC.”

Here is Mahela Jayawardena’s tweet

Now Kumar Sangakkara, who was the Lankan skipper in that game, has opened up on the issue. Sangakkara, who’s also the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said that the former minister needs to take the evidence to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The veteran replied to Mahela and wrote, “He needs to take his “evidence” to the ICC and the Anti corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly.”

Here is Kumar Sangakkara’s tweet