Former Sri Lanka spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been charged with fixing in many matches, following which, he has been prohibited from traveling overseas for the next three months.
At 38 years old, Senanayake, the former cricketer from Sri Lanka, represented his national team in a solitary Test match, 49 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 24 T20 Internationals. However, his cricket adventure took a worrying turn in 2020 when he faced match-fixing allegations relating to the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.
The former spinner allegedly offered match-fixing propositions to two fellow cricketers over the phone. While the contents of these plans remain hidden, it’s alleged that the Special Investigation Unit of the Sports Ministry has asked the Attorney General’s Department to seek criminal charges against him.
Senanayake initially debuted on the international stage in 2012 against South Africa, immediately winning notoriety for his fearsome talents that offered a challenge for batsmen, particularly in Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions. His prowess led to him being acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL auction.
However, his international cricket adventure took a tumble. In 2014, his bowling action was considered suspicious, resulting in a ban from international cricket. Though he made a comeback in 2015, his effect was limited, and he played his final international match in 2016 against Australia. Subsequently, he concentrated on domestic cricket, amassing an amazing record of 112 appearances in First Class cricket, claiming a total of 567 wickets. In List A cricket, he featured in 186 matches, getting 283 wickets.
