SRI LANKA GOVT ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO 2011 WORLD CUP FINAL FIXING ALLEGATION

The Sri Lanka Sports Ministry has ordered an investigation into former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage's allegation that his country's team "sold" the 2011 World Cup final to India.

The Sports Minister Alahapperuma has ordered the investigation and asked for a report on its progress every two weeks, a statement from the Ministry said.

In an interview with local TV channel 'Sirasa', Aluthgamage said, "Today I am telling you that we sold the 2011 World Cup."

Aluthgamage, Sports Minister between 2010 and 2015 and now State Minister for Renewable Energy and Power, said he "did not want to disclose" the plot at the time. "In 2011, we were to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved," he said.

Former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have demanded evidence from Aluthgamage to prove the claim.

In the final, Sri Lanka batted first and scored 274-6 off 50 overs. They appeared to be in a commanding position when Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for 18 runs. But at the end, India claimed the trophy. Thanks to the brilliance of Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91).