Dubai: Sri Lankan cricket hero Sanath Jayasuriya has been banned from all cricket for two years after admitting two breaches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code, the sport’s governing body announced on Tuesday.
The former Sri Lanka captain was accused of failing to cooperate in an investigation into corruption, and delaying or obstructing an investigation.
The 49-year-old – regarded as one of the greatest one-day international batsmen of all time – accepted the punishment.
“This conviction under the code demonstrates the importance of participants in cricket cooperating with investigations,” said Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager of the Anti-Corruption Unit in a statement.
“Compelling participants to cooperate under the code is a vital weapon in our efforts to rid our sport of corruptors. These rules are essential to maintain the integrity of our sport.”
Jayasuriya played 110 Test matches and 445 ODIs. He also played for IPL side Mumbai Indians, as well as English county sides Somerset, Lancashire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire and retired in 2012 before becoming Sri Lanka chairman of selectors.
