Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Anura Tennekoon admitted the credibility of the game was at stake following the guilty verdicts handed out in a London court to three Pakistan players in relation to spot-fixing charges.
Tennekoon, who retired from the game before the country attained Test status, called for corruption free cricket in order to sustain interest in the game.
"I think any form of corruption in the game should be dealt with seriously and eradicated so that the interest in the game is sustained," said Tennekoon when asked about his reaction on the court verdict in England on Tuesday during a press conference ahead of the third Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and paceman Mohammad Asif were found guilty of conspiracy to cheat and accepting corrupt payments by a London court jury on charges of 'fixing' parts of the fourth Test aganst England at Lord's last year.
A third cricketer Mohammad Aamer and their agent Mazhar Majeed - who both confessed before the trial began - will appear before the court on Wednesday.
Justice Cooke, who led the trial, is due to pronounce sentences for the guilty players on Wednesday or Thursday.
Tennekoon, 65, in the UAE as manager of the Sri Lanka team said followers of the game will lose interest if corruption existed.
"I think if corruption is not wiped off then the followers of this beautiful game will be lost, so from the point of safeguarding the game people who are playing the game as well authorities of the game should wipe out corruption," said Tennekoon.
Tennekoon, who captained Sri Lanka in the first World Cup in 1975, said the matter should be seriously dealt.
"We need to deal with this matter seriously and I am hopeful that it will be done," said Tennekoon.
Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan refused to make any comments. "I am not going to comment on the corruption case," said Dilshan.
Pakistan team has also stayed away from making any direct comments on the case.