The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Bangladeshi player Shohaly Akhter from participating in matches for five years after she admitted to manipulating matches.
Akhter was found to have violated several provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. As a result, she will be banned from participating in cricket for five years, prohibited from engaging in any form of cricket activities.
The ICC made the ruling yesterday but did not disclose the affected matches. However, the ICC confirmed that the corruption case was related to the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa, which Akhter did not participate in.
Five Acts of Cricket Manipulation Violations
The 36-year-old bowler was found guilty of five charges under the Anti-Corruption Code. The first is Article 2.1.3, which involves manipulating or influencing an international match in any way through deliberate poor performance.
Akhter also admitted to violating Article 2.1.3, which involves soliciting, accepting, or offering bribes or other rewards to influence a match. This could be for gambling or other corrupt purposes.
The third violation is Article 2.1.4, which involves a player soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging, or intentionally assisting participants to engage in match manipulation activities.
The ICC also brought up Article 2.4.4. This refers to a player's failure to disclose the means or invitation involved in corrupt conduct. Cricketers must report any such incidents to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
Finally, Akhter was found to have violated the Code of Conduct Article 2.4.7. This refers to a player obstructing or delaying an ACU corruption investigation. The ICC stated that this could include concealing, tampering with, or destroying any relevant evidence.
Akhter's five-year cricket ban took effect on February 10. This means she will not be eligible to compete again until February 2030.
Corruption and manipulation remain a problem in global sports
Despite ongoing efforts, corruption and fixing continue to cause problems throughout the sports world.
This week, the International Tennis Integrity Agency imposed a temporary ban on Thai player Jatuporn Na Lamphun for potential violations of the tennis anti-corruption program. Last week, six players were announced to be banned.
This month, the Bolivian Football Federation also confirmed that it is investigating an incident involving five players from the Royal Santa Cruz Club last year suspected of manipulating matches. Ricardo Suarez, Oscar Ribera, Luis Ruano, Samuel Pozo, and Brian Lopez, as well as club officials, will be investigated.
Meanwhile, the British Darts Regulation Authority banned two players from competing in December, Leighton Bennett and Billy Wariner, for their involvement in fixed matches. Similarly, in the UK, snooker player Mark King was recently banned for five years for participating in fixed matches.
