Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan cricketer Praveen Jayawickrama has been banned from all forms of cricket for one year due to anti-corruption breaches of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 26-year-old spinner encountered three charges in August after failing to report an approach related to match-fixing and choking in an ongoing investigation.
Following his acknowledgement of guilt, Jayawickrama accepted a sanction of one year of ineligibility, with the last six months suspended, as confirmed by the ICC. The governing body described that Praveen was approached to fix international matches and was advised to reach another player in contact with match-fixing during the 2021 season of the Lanka Premier League.
Jayawickrama made his international debut in April 2021, showcasing his talent by proclaiming 11 wickets in his first Test against Bangladesh. Over his brief career, he has experienced in five Test matches, five One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and five T20 Internationals. His most recent appearance for the national team was in June 2022.
The ICC’s swift action highlights its commitment to maintaining the integrity of cricket and handling corruption concerns rigorously. As the sport grapples with ongoing issues surrounding corruption, Jayawickrama’s ban serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such breaches within the game.