Sri Lanka police call-off 2011 World Cup final match-fixing probe over lack of evidence

The Sri Lankan police on Friday (July 3) dropped the match-fixing investigation regarding the 2011 World Cup final after they failed to find any concrete evidence of Sri Lankan players letting India win as per latest reports.

Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara, ex-chief selector Aravinda de Silva and a couple of others were interrogated this week over suspicions that have dogged the match for years.

"We are satisfied with their explanation," a top police official told AFP.

"The inquiry is now closed." "They had reasonable explanations about the changes that were made to the final squad," the officer added.

"We found no evidence of any wrongdoing."

Previously, former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had made a groundbreaking claim that the final of World Cup 2011, which Team India beat the Lankans to win in the final, was rigged.  

During the 2011 WC, Aluthgamage was Sri Lanka's Minister of Sports and took full responsibility for his statement.  

The loss meant Sri Lanka's wait for a world title continued as the 1996 world champions failed in the final hurdle again.  

In the final, India successfully chased down the 275-run target with skipper MS Dhoni winning it form the Men In Blue with an iconic six to finish it off.  

"The 2011 final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports," Mahindananda Aluthgamage told Sri Lankan news outlet News 1st.

"I state with full responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, a game which we could have won, was fixed."  

"I state it with responsibility and I can come forward for a debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game," he added.