LPL 2024: Match-fixing controversy to not hinder tournament, set to commence as planned

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently came forward to announce that the premier T20 competition, the Lanka Premier League, will continue with a complete roster of matches and will include all five teams for the 2024 edition. The announcement happened a day after the board announced that the Dambulla Thunders franchise would be terminated owing to its owner, Tamim Rahman's, arrest on suspicion of match-fixing. 

The board confirmed that the franchise will have a new owner and that the tournament will go as planned from July 1 to July 21. It is worth noting that Imperial Sports Group bought the Dambulla franchise in April 2024, and Rahman was recently arrested by the immigration officials at the city's Bandaranaike International Airport after court issues a judicial arrest warrant against the owner.

“The Lanka Premier League season 5 will continue with its full schedule and roster of matches featuring five teams. We assure all players, fans and stakeholders that the league's integrity and the spirit of cricket will be preserved throughout the tournament,” a release by the SLC stated.

Furthermore, the board also came forward to speak up about the arrest of Rahman, stating that the continuation of the Lanka Premier League holds the most importance.

“While the specifics of the charges against Mr. Rahman remain unclear, the integrity and smooth functioning of the Lanka Premier League are of utmost importance,” the SLC stated. 

It is worth noting that Rahman was being investigated under two provisions of match fixing and placing bets, and reacting to the development, LPL rights holder and IPG group chairman Anil Mohan came forward to give his take on the matter. “We are committed to the highest standards of transparency and professionalism and will continue to support all our teams, players, and fans during this transition,” Mohan was quoted as saying by India Today.

Furthermore, a court in Sri Lanka has ordered Yoni Patel and P Akash, both of whom are Indian citizens, to surrender their passports. They have been ordered to do so as both of them are expected to be charged with match-fixing in Colombo's unofficial Legends Cricket League.