Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Saliya Saman has been barred from all forms of cricket for five years after an independent ICC tribunal ruled that he broke three clauses of the Emirates Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10. The sanction is back-dated to 13 September 2023, the day he was provisionally suspended.
The three-member panel of Harish Salve KC (chair), Nigel Peters KC and Justice Zak Yacoob found Saman guilty of:
• Article 2.1.1 – attempting to fix or improperly influence matches or passages of play
• Article 2.1.3 – offering a reward to another participant to engage in corrupt conduct
• Article 2.1.4 – encouraging or facilitating another participant to break Article 2.1
In its written decision the tribunal said Saman approached a team-mate ahead of the tournament and promised the player he “would play all the fixtures, in two of those he would agree to do something that is commonly understood as match fixing.”
The 39-year-old, who played more than 100 first-class matches for a variety of Sri Lankan clubs and last appeared in March 2021, was one of eight people linked to the Pune Devils franchise charged over the same season. Bangladesh all-rounder Nasir Hossain received a two-year suspension in January 2024.
Alex Marshall, the ICC’s General Manager – Integrity, welcomed today’s outcome. “We will take every step to protect cricket from corrupt approaches,” he said, adding that the case showed “no player is beyond the reach of the code, regardless of where or at what level they play.”
A Sri Lanka Cricket spokesperson stressed the domestic board’s support for the verdict. “This decision is a reminder to all players that there are no shortcuts,” the official said. Saman himself did not comment when contacted.
Why the ban matters
While Saman has not featured internationally, anti-corruption investigators argue that domestic professionals can be prime targets for fixers. The Abu Dhabi T10, a ten-over league sanctioned by the ECB but featuring players from multiple countries, offers global television exposure and rapid-fire betting markets, making it attractive for illicit approaches.
Under the terms of the ruling, Saman cannot coach, play or be involved in cricket administration until September 2028. The tribunal noted no evidence of match manipulation actually occurring, but it judged the attempted inducement serious enough to merit a lengthy ban.
For current players, the case underlines two essentials: report any suspicious contact immediately and remember that sanctions are severe, even when the approach fails. The ICC’s anti-corruption unit continues to run education sessions at franchise tournaments, and organisers are being urged to tighten vetting of support staff and agents.
