Tamim Rahman team Dambulla Thunders Pleads Guilty to Lanka Premier League Match-Fixing

Tamim Rahman, the former owner of Dambulla Thunders, has pleaded guilty to match-fixing charges related to the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi origin, was arrested in May 2024 for attempting to influence a player and arrange betting during the tournament. He has been sentenced to a five-year suspended prison term and fined 24 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately USD 78,000). The conviction marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka's efforts to combat corruption in sports, demonstrating cooperation between local law enforcement and the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit. However, the case has raised concerns about the vetting process for LPL franchise owners, with none of the original owners remaining and each team undergoing at least three ownership changes since 2020. Dambulla's LPL franchise has a new name and owner! The team, previously known as Dambulla Thunders, is now called Dambulla Sixers, marking the fourth ownership change since 2020. Sequoia Consultants, a US-based civil engineering firm headed by former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Priyanga de Silva, has taken over the team. De Silva, a chartered civil engineer, played for Sri Lanka U19 in 1983 and represents the United States Masters Over 60 Cricket Team. He's excited to contribute to Sri Lanka's cricket development and sees potential in the LPL's growth.