Sri Lankan spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, who made a sensational debut against Bangladesh by taking 11 wickets, has been banned for one year from all forms of cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit found him guilty of failing to comply with its regulations.
Jayawickrama, 25, was under investigation for a corruption-related incident that occurred during the 2021 Lanka Premier League. The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit had requested information regarding a specific transaction, which Jayawickrama was unable to provide. Following his admission of guilt, the ICC has imposed the one-year ban as per its regulations.
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The ICC, in an official statement, noted, “Praveen Jayawickrama has admitted to his offence, and following the ICC’s constitution, he has been suspended for one year.”
This suspension comes as a significant setback for Jayawickrama, who has been out of the Sri Lankan national squad for the past six months due to the ongoing investigation.
Jayawickrama, who made his international debut in 2021, took 11 wickets in his maiden Test against Bangladesh, earning the Player of the Match award.
He played five Tests and took 25 wickets, along with five wickets in five One Day Internationals. His last appearance for Sri Lanka was in June 2022 against Australia.
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Despite his early success, Jayawickrama has struggled to maintain his position in the national side, and this ban is likely to further delay his return to international cricket.
The incident serves as a stern reminder of the ICC’s stringent stance on maintaining the integrity of the sport.
Source: Agencies