Jayawickrama receives one-year ban for anti-corruption code breach

Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been handed a one-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching its anti-corruption code. The ban, of which the last six months are suspended, follows Jayawickrama’s admission of violating Article 2.4.7 of the code.

Details of the Breach

In August, Jayawickrama faced two charges from the ICC relating to international cricket and the Lanka Premier League (LPL). He admitted to one of the breaches under Article 2.4.7, which involves “obstructing or delaying any investigation by the ACU (Anti-Corruption Unit), including concealing, tampering with, or destroying any documentation or other information relevant to the investigation and/or evidence of corrupt conduct.”

Jayawickrama’s Career and LPL Involvement

Jayawickrama made his international debut for Sri Lanka in a Test against Bangladesh in April 2021. Since then, he has played five Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is, with his last international appearance in a T20I series against Australia in 2022.

In the Lanka Premier League, he represented the Jaffna Kings in 2021, helping them secure their second title by taking two wickets in his only match of the season. In the LPL 2024, Jayawickrama played for Dambulla Sixers.

The one-year ban restricts him from all forms of cricket, although the suspension of the last six months may allow for an earlier return, pending compliance with anti-corruption protocols.