Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Saliya Saman Banned for Five Years by ICC

Dubai, August 15 (PTI) Former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer Saliya Saman has been handed a five-year ban from all forms of cricket following a ruling by an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal. The tribunal found Saman guilty of violating the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.

Saman was one of eight individuals charged in September 2023 for infractions against the Code. The ban is effective from September 13, 2023, coinciding with his provisional suspension, meaning he has already served two years of his sentence.

The 39-year-old cricketer has a substantial record, having played 101 first-class and 77 List A matches. The charges stem from the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League, wherein attempts to manipulate matches were thwarted by the ICC, the appointed Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) under the ECB’s Code.

Saman faced three specific charges: Articles 2.1.1, 2.1.3, and 2.1.4. Article 2.1.1 involves "Being party to an attempt to fix, contrive or improperly influence matches or match aspects in the Abu Dhabi T10 2021."

According to Article 2.1.3, Saman is accused of offering "a Reward to another Participant in exchange for engaging in Corrupt Conduct under the Code."

Article 2.1.4 covers the act of "Directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging, or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach Code Article 2.1."