Kaushal Lokuarachchi pleads guilty to role in match-fixing scandal

Sri Lankan spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi pleaded guilty to a role in the match-fixing episode in the Bangladesh Premier League T-20 competition along with former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent and former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful.

 

Vincent, 35, pleaded guilty to not reporting an approach from illegal bookmakers while playing for the Khulna Royal Bengals last year, the second edition of the BPL.

 

AFP reported he is one of three players to admit guilt before a special hearing after nine players and officials were investigated by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) three-member anti-corruption tribunal.

 

The others are former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and Sri Lankan spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

 

The hearing found one of the owners of the Dhaka Gladiators, Shihab Jishan Chowdhury, guilty of one charge of match-fixing.

 

“Vincent, Lokuarachchi and Ashraful have already pleaded guilty,” said Shakil Kasem, a member of the tribunal.

 

“We’re going to review their guilty pleas, deliberate on that and come up with sanctions within two weeks.”

 

Kasem said the sentence against Chowdhury will also be delivered in two weeks.

 

The other six individuals under investigation were cleared of all charges.

 

They are Bangladesh players Mohammad Rafique, Mahbubul Alam and Mosharraf Hossain, English all-rounder Darren Stevens, Dhaka Gladiators co-owner Salim Chowdhury, and the same club’s Indian chief executive Gaurav Rawat.

 

Ashraful was allegedly involved in fixing a match between his Dhaka Gladiators and the Chittagong Kings.

 

Local media have reported that the batsman was paid about one million taka ($A14,237) to lose the match on February 2.

 

In a joint statement, the ICC and BCB said they “are surprised and obviously disappointed with the outcome”.

 

“Both organisations await the tribunal’s detailed written determination setting out the reasons for the outcome, which will be provided shortly, and will consider it carefully before determining the next steps, including whether to appeal any aspect of the judgement.”

 

Vincent played 23 Tests and 111 limited overs internationals from 2001-07.

 

In December he admitted he is helping an ongoing International Cricket Council investigation into match-fixing.

 

He was linked to that investigation in media reports, along with former Black Caps teammates Chris Cairns and Daryl Tuffey.

 

Vincent will reportedly make a statement later on Thursday.