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'Appears Games Were Fixed...': Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Raises His Doubts Over Asia Cup 2023

image-lmiopbr9Both India and Pakistan were affected by rains [X.com]

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is already facing a lot of backlash from former players and fans over the organisation of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka, where matches have been constantly troubled by rains. 

The ACC's decision to introduce a last-minute reserve day for India and Pakistan's Super 4s encounter also did not help things, but only made matters worse.

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Charith Senanayake, who was leading the technical committee in Asia Cup 2022, has expressed disbelief over adding a reserve day for only one match.

As reported by NewIndianExpress, Senanayake, 60, further went on to raise doubts about the pairings in Asia Cup 2023, alleging that fixing happened to ensure an India-Pakistan final, and why other participating members did not object.

Both ACC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially release a statement regarding adding the reserve day after approval from all participating boards.


Here's what Charith Senanayake said

"If that is the case (PCB wanting a reserve day), then there is a big question mark about the authenticity of the tournament. It becomes very questionable. It appears games (draws) were fixed because everybody was trying for an India-Pakistan final. You cannot have different rules for different boards."


"Money talks at the end of the day. Because of such an act, the whole tournament becomes questionable. It also raises questions as to how clean this Asia Cup is. Six countries in two groups and India-Pakistan in one group. It is fixed in such a way that both teams play at least twice and if they reach the final, three times. All boards played it down because if they objected, India would refrain from visiting their countries and the boards cannot be run because India wields such power."

Senanayake featured in three Tests and seven ODIs for Sri Lanka between 1990-91. The cricketer also wished that PCB would not feel dejected if Pakistan's virtual knockout against Sri Lanka is a washed out and the latter qualifies.