Sri Lanka's Praveen Jayawickrama Handed One-Year Ban for Breaching ICC Anti-Corruption Code
Sri Lanka spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been banned from all forms of cricket for one year after admitting to breaching the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code.
What did he do?
The 26-year-old was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in August for failing to report an approach to fix matches and for obstructing an investigation.
Jayawickrama was approached to fix international matches and was also asked to recruit another player for match-fixing during the 2021 season of the Lanka Premier League.
Obstructing an investigation, including concealing information or destroying documentation, is a clear violation of the Code Article 2.4.7 - Obstructing or delaying any investigation that may be carried out by the ACU, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code.
After admitting to the violations, the ICC reached an agreement with Sri Lanka Cricket to issue the ban. His one-year ban includes six months of ineligibility, with the remaining six months suspended.
Promising career tainted by ban
Despite a promising start to his international career, where he took 11 wickets in his debut Test match against Bangladesh in April 2021, Jayawickrama's career has taken a hit with this ban. He last played for Sri Lanka in June 2022, featuring in five Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is.
The ICC highlighted that while Jayawickrama cooperated after his admission, failing to report corrupt approaches is a serious breach, one that undermines the integrity of the game.The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code, which seeks to maintain the sport's integrity, has been strictly enforced to ensure that players and officials act responsibly. Jayawickrama’s case is a reminder of the consequences of failing to comply.
This ban puts Jayawickrama’s future in doubt, though his suspension period may allow him to return to the sport after six months if he complies with the conditions imposed by the ICC.
The ICC’s full statement on the matter can be found here.
