In a shocking revelation, it has emerged that former Sri Lanka all rounder Farveez Maharoof had played the decisive role in convincing Ramith Rambukwella and Sachithra Senanayake to come forward as witness in Avishka Gunawardene and Nuwan Zoysa match fixing case.
Former Sri Lanka batsman Avishka Gunawardene was provisionally suspended with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council (ICC) In May 2019 after being charged with match-fixing by the International Cricket Council. The charges relate to the United Arab Emirates’ T10 League held in December 2017. The 41-year-old was charged with two counts of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board’s (ECB) anti-corruption code, including “directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant” to fix a match. Gunawardene, who played six tests and 61 one-day internationals (ODI) between 1998 and 2006, was then also suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket as the head coach of the country’s Emerging Team. Former Sri Lanka paceman and bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa was also charged of breaching the ECB’s anti-corruption code. While Avishka’s case is still in progress, Nuwan was earlier this week banned for six years from all cricket.
Cricket Age understand that before making his commentary debut in the first test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh last month, Maharoof recorded his statement before the concerned authority, stating that he played an integral part in convincing Ramith Rambukwella and Sachithra Senanayake to come forward.
Notably, Maharoof had no involvement in said United Arab Emirates’ T10 League!
“He had nothing to do with the said league. So, it’s surprising that what promoted him to get involved in this matter. Was it a cover up attempt or something else? The concerned authority must look at this aspect as well” a Sri Lanka Cricket expert told Cricket Age.
At presently, apart from doing commentary in the ongoing Sri Lanka-Bangladesh test series, multitasking Maharoof is also eyeing for the national team manager post. A former U19 manager and junior selector, Maharoof, over the years, has made it a habit to apply for every position at Maitland Place. In last few weeks, he has met everyone – from former SLC president Shammi Silva to present SLC chairman Professor Arjuna De Silva, who is coincidentally his good friend. In addition, he has arranged dozen of Interviews for himself as well, for promoting himself for the manager post.
