Muttiah Muralitharan

As the claims of match-fixing by former Sri Lankan Hashan Tilakaratne are rising pointers from ex-players. The retired Sri Lankan spinner, who is now part of IPL Debutant Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Muttiah Muralitharan bowled an off-spinner and asked him to render any proof of match-fixing or stop the allegations.

This was reaction to what happened at a television chat show last week, in which Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs for Sri Lanka, said his country has been wangling matches since 1992 and he would reveal the names soon. Also, he arrogated that the team selection for the 2011 World Cup Final was a part of match-fixing. But, he refused to expose the names of those cricketers, saying he would make the revelations only to the ICC.

On being asked whether he had been approached by any bookie during his 18-year career, Muralitharan said never. He also rejected suggestions that Tillakaratne’s allegations have defiled the image of Sri Lankan Cricket. “Hashan has made allegations and only he is answerable for that. I don’t know what to say. These are mere allegations which have not been proved yet,” he said.

The highest wicket-taker in both Tests (800) and ODIs (519), Muralitharan retired from Tests in 2010. He played in four World Cup tournaments – 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. He was the part of Sri Lankan team that lost to India in 2011 final on April 2.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Hashan Tillakartne, now an opposition politician, says he’s ready to share information with the International Cricket Council to back his allegations regarding match fixing in the island nation. He also added that he has been advised by his advocate not to disclose the names of those cricketers. Joining him, Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, also an opposition politician, has backed his former team mate in the matter.

But, Tilkaratne and Ranatunga, who are now in active politicians, so they are facing the allegations that they are doing this for gaining political mileage.

Hope the ghost of match-fixing which has returned to haunt international cricket will be over soon.

Tags: Cricket, Hashan Tilakaratne, ICC, Match Fixing, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka