Tamim Rahman, the owner of the Dambulla Thunders franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), was arrested on suspicion of match-fixing. This came just a day after the player auction for the upcoming season of the LPL. An official from the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports at the Sports Ministry confirmed the arrest. Rahman, a British citizen originally from Bangladesh, was placed in custody until May 31st while investigations continue. Earlier this year, in April, Rahman was part of a group of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs who acquired the Dambulla franchise through the Imperial Sports Group.
Match-fixing in LPL sparks controversy
On Wednesday, May 22, authorities arrested Tamim Rahman, owner of the Dambulla Thunders cricket franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The arrest took place at Bandaranaike International Airport by immigration officials, acting on a court order. While officials confirmed the arrest, the exact charges against Rahman remain unclear.
Investigations suggest involvement in match-fixing and betting activities. If convicted, Rahman could face significant penalties, including a hefty fine and up to a decade in prison. Notably, Sri Lanka became the first South Asian nation to criminalize match-fixing and sports corruption in 2019.
Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up their fight against cricket corruption. Just recently, a court ordered two Indian nationals, Yoni Patel and P Akash, to surrender their passports. This action comes as both men are under investigation for alleged match-fixing during the unsanctioned Legends Cricket League held in Colombo between March 8th and 19th at Pallekele Stadium. While currently out on bail, Patel and Akash face the possibility of stricter penalties if found guilty.
The Dambulla Thunders weren't shy about spending at the LPL auction on Tuesday. They used their $450,000 budget to acquire 24 players for the upcoming season. While they set their sights on the highly-coveted Matheesha Pathirana, they were ultimately outbid by the Colombo Strikers who used their 'right to match' card. Dambulla did manage to snag Afghan all-rounder Karim Janat, their priciest acquisition at $80,000 for LPL 2024.
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