NEW DELHI: Indian citizens Yoni Patel and P Akash have been ordered by a Sri Lankan court to give up their passports because they are both expected to face charges related to match-fixing in the unofficial Legends Cricket League in Colombo.
The league matches were played at Kandy's Pallekele Stadium from March 8 to March 19. The two, who are now free on bail, are accused of attempting to manipulate games.
In the championship match, Rajasthan Kings emerged victorious over New York Super Strikers.
In the competition, Patel owns the Kandy Swamp Army team.
The Special Investigation Unit of the Ministry of Sports received complaints from former New Zealand player Neil Broom and former Sri Lankan ODI captain Upul Tharanga regarding Patel and Akash's attempts to rig games by underperforming in the league. Tharanga is currently the head of the national selectors.
The magistrate's court then ordered Patel and Akash to stay in the nation while the investigations were ongoing.
Neither Sri Lanka Cricket nor the ICC recognize the league.
In 2019, Sri Lanka became the first nation in South Asia to enact legislation against match-fixing and corruption in sports.
Anyone found guilty faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence in addition to fines.
Additionally, the law aims to penalize omissions, such as failing to disclose dishonest practices.
(With PTI inputs)
