Cricket legend Sangakkara speaks about rise of unregulated franchise leagues

Colombo, December 2 (Daily Mirror) - Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has voiced concerns about increasing corruption in cricket, driven by the rise of unregulated franchise leagues.  

He called on the cricketing world to prioritize structural reforms to safeguard the sport's integrity.  

Speaking at the Sri Lanka Law College International Research Conference, Sangakkara acknowledged that franchise leagues, such as the IPL, provide significant opportunities for players. However, he cautioned that these leagues also pose risks, warning that players might prioritize lucrative franchise contracts over representing their national teams. This, he said, could undermine the passion and loyalty associated with international cricket.  

“If this trend continues, financial rewards could overshadow national pride, leading to serious challenges for the future of cricket,” Sangakkara stated.  

The session, chaired by Sumathi Dharmawardena, PC, a senior official in the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, explored the growing threat of corruption in sports. Sangakkara cited historical match-fixing scandals involving cricket stars like Hansie Cronje and Mohammad Azharuddin as evidence that corruption has long plagued the sport.  

Although traditional match-fixing may have decreased, Sangakkara noted the persistence of newer forms, such as spot-fixing. He also drew attention to similar issues in other sports, including basketball, tennis, and snooker.  

Alex Marshall, the outgoing head of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, has previously warned that smaller, poorly managed leagues are particularly susceptible to corruption. Sangakkara echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that without proper regulation, franchise leagues could become breeding grounds for match-fixing, eroding fans' trust in the game.