Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga after giving a statement on allegations of match-fixing at the Sri Lanka Police Special Investigations unit for sports-related corruption in Colombo. EPA
Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga after giving a statement on allegations of match-fixing at the Sri Lanka Police Special Investigations unit for sports-related corruption in Colombo. EPA
Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga after giving a statement on allegations of match-fixing at the Sri Lanka Police Special Investigations unit for sports-related corruption in Colombo. EPA
Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga after giving a statement on allegations of match-fixing at the Sri Lanka Police Special Investigations unit for sports-related corruption in Colombo. EPA

Sri Lanka begins probe into 2011 World Cup final fixing allegations


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Sri Lanka opening batsman Upul Tharanga on Wednesday became the first player to be questioned in a probe investigating claims that the 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed.

Tharanga, 35, was grilled for two hours by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) examining the final in Mumbai which Sri Lanka lost to India.

"They asked a few questions in connection with the ongoing investigation. I gave my statement," Tharanga was quoted as saying by AFP in Colombo.

Tharanga was called in after investigators quizzed chief selector Aravinda de Silva for nearly six hours on Tuesday.

Police said they will next interview Kumar Sangakkara, the captain of the losing side and the current president of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

The investigation was launched after the then-sports minister claimed that Sri Lanka threw the match at the Wankhede Stadium.

"I feel I can talk about it now," Mahindananda Aluthgamage told a local TV network last month. "I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved."

Sri Lanka bat first and scored 274-6 off 50 overs. They appeared in a commanding position when India opener Sachin Tendulkar was out for 18.

But India turned the game around with match-winning 90s from Gautam Gambhir and captain MS Dhoni. India won the final by six wickets.

Sangakkara and his deputy Mahela Jayawardena quit their positions in the team after the defeat.

The toss of the final was also controversial as it was done twice. Match referee Jeff Crowe apparently did not hear "heads" called by Sangakkara and asked Dhoni to toss again.

Also, Sri Lanka made four changes to the team that won the semi-final against New Zealand.

Match-fixing was made a criminal offence in Sri Lanka in November. Offenders face fines of up to 100 million rupees (Dh2m) and 10 years in jail.

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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

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Bombshell

Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

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The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5

Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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