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Key Takeaways
- 1⚖️ Tamim Rahman received a five-year suspended sentence and LKR 24 million fine after pleading guilty to match-fixing charges
- 2🚨 This marks the first match-fixing conviction specifically involving the Lanka Premier League
- 3🔍 Pakistani national Mujeeb ur Rahman remains wanted for allegedly aiding the fixing scheme
- 4🏏 The Dambulla franchise has undergone four ownership changes since 2020, now operating as Dambulla Sixers
- 5📋 All LPL franchises have changed ownership at least three times, raising serious questions about vetting processes
- 6🤝 The case demonstrates successful cooperation between Sri Lankan law enforcement and ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit
"Tamim Rahman handed a five-year suspended sentence of four years rigorous imprisonment, as well as a fine of LKR 24 million"
LPL Match-Fixing Scandal: Dambulla Thunders Owner Tamim Rahman Pleads Guilty, Receives Five-Year Suspended Sentence
In a significant development for cricket's fight against corruption, Tamim Rahman, the former owner of the now-defunct Dambulla Thunders franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), has pleaded guilty to match-fixing charges. The case marks a watershed moment in Sri Lanka's efforts to combat sporting corruption and sets a powerful precedent for future enforcement.
The Verdict and Sentencing
Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi origin, has been handed a five-year suspended sentence of four years rigorous imprisonment. Additionally, he faces a substantial financial penalty of LKR 24 million (approximately USD 78,000).
The charges stemmed from Rahman's alleged attempt to pressure a player participating in the 2024 LPL season into match-fixing activities. He was officially indicted under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019 – legislation specifically designed to criminalise match-fixing instances.
Timeline of Events
The case unfolded over several months:
- May 2024: Rahman was arrested while preparing to leave Sri Lanka ahead of the 2024 LPL season
- October 2025: Formal indictment under Sri Lanka's anti-corruption sports laws
- December 2025: Rahman's legal counsel informed the Colombo High Court of his intention to plead guilty to expedite proceedings
- January 2026: Final sentencing delivered
Wider Investigation and Outstanding Warrants
The investigation extends beyond Rahman. Pakistani national Mujeeb ur Rahman remains at large with an outstanding warrant for his arrest for allegedly aiding the match-fixing scheme. This international dimension underscores the cross-border nature of corruption networks targeting cricket leagues.
Impact on the Dambulla Franchise
Following Rahman's arrest and the subsequent termination of the Dambulla Thunders franchise by Sri Lanka Cricket, the team has undergone yet another transformation. Under new ownership by Sequoia Consultants – a US-based civil engineering consultant firm headed by former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Priyanga de Silva – the franchise now operates as Dambulla Sixers.
This represents the fourth change in ownership for the franchise since the inaugural LPL in 2020, highlighting the turbulent journey the team has experienced.
A Pattern of Corruption Cases in Sri Lankan Leagues
Rahman's conviction is the first such case involving the LPL specifically, but it follows a concerning pattern:
- May 2025: Anurag Thakkar, owner of the Galle Marvels franchise in the Lanka T10 League, was convicted of match-fixing charges and allowed to leave the country after settling financial penalties
- Ongoing: Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake faces an ongoing corruption case over his alleged role in attempting to fix matches during the 2020 LPL season. Senanayake has pleaded not guilty
Institutional Response and Future Implications
Strengthening of Anti-Corruption Measures
Rahman's conviction demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between Sri Lankan law enforcement and the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit, which initially flagged the suspicious activities. This collaboration proves that international partnerships are essential in tackling corruption in cricket.
Questions Over Franchise Vetting
However, the case has also cast a spotlight on Sri Lanka Cricket's owner vetting process. A troubling statistic has emerged: as of the LPL 2026 season, none of the franchises are run by their original owners, with each team undergoing at least three changes of ownership since the inaugural edition in 2020.
This pattern suggests systemic issues in how franchise owners are vetted and monitored, raising important questions about due diligence processes that cricket boards must address.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Cricket
The Rahman case sends a clear message that match-fixing will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law in Sri Lanka. The Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019 has proven to be an effective tool, and its successful application here may encourage other cricket-playing nations to strengthen their own legislative frameworks.
For the Lanka Premier League specifically, the challenge now lies in rebuilding trust and implementing more robust ownership vetting procedures. The league's credibility depends on demonstrating that it can prevent such incidents from occurring in the future rather than merely responding to them after the fact.
As cricket continues to expand through franchise leagues worldwide, the Rahman case serves as both a warning to would-be fixers and a template for how sporting bodies and law enforcement can work together to protect the integrity of the game.
