Indian team owner accused of match fixing in Sri Lankan league

Indian national Yoni Patel, owner of a Legends Cricket League team, has been accused of match-fixing against his countryman P Akash and the Colombo Magistrate Court last Friday rejected Patel’s bail plea. The travel ban imposed on both has been extended for one month. This Indian is being accused of trying to fix matches in the Legends Cricket League. Rajasthan Kings defeated New York Super Strikers in the final. Patel owns the Kandy Swamp Army team in the tournament. Officials said that if the case progresses, charges will also be framed against Punjab Royals manager Akash. Former Sri Lankan captain Upul Taranga and New Zealand’s Neil Broom complained to the Special Investigation Branch of the Sports Ministry that Patel and Akash had approached a match-fixing agency over their poor performance in the league. The court has barred Patel and Akash from leaving Sri Lanka until the investigation is completed. If found guilty, he could face up to ten years in prison under Sri Lankan government law.