Tillakaratne Dilshan under ICC scanner for meeting bookie in UK nightclub

LONDON - Batting star Tillakaratne Dilshan is the Sri Lankan player named in a Sri Lankan cricket board report to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit last year after he was allegedly spotted with a suspected illegal bookmaker in a London nightclub.

The report was filed by the Sri Lankan team manager after captain Kumar Sangakkara passed on suspicions among team-mates that Dilshan had been seen with the bookie during the World Twenty20 tournament in England in June 2009.

According to the Daily Mail, there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Dilshan.

The Sri Lankans followed the ICC’s protocol to the letter, reporting the alleged incident as soon as it was made known to the team management.

Dilshan made a name for himself last summer when his ‘Dilscoop’ - in which he shovels the ball over his own head and that of the wicket-keeper - became the iconic image of the World Twenty20 competition and propelled his side to the final, where they lost to Pakistan.

The 33-year-old had already become a hero in Sri Lanka for his courageous behaviour during the attack on his team’s bus by terrorists in Lahore in March 2009.

Those close to Dilshan said on Thursday he has done nothing wrong.

A Sri Lanka team spokesman said: ‘There is no evidence against any of the Sri Lankan players. (ANI)