Shohely Akhter banned for five years
The ban is a result of Akhter's admission to breaching multiple provisions of the ICC anti-corruption code, including attempting to bribe a teammate and obstructing the investigation, and will have significant implications for her career and the sport as a whole.
Bangladesh women's cricketer Shohely Akhter has been banned from all cricket for five years after violating the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption code, admitting to breaching five provisions, including attempting to bribe a teammate during the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup.
The ICC reported that Akhter made the approach through voice notes sent on Facebook, offering $16,465 to a teammate to get out hit wicket during a match against Australia. The teammate reported Akhter to the ICC's anti-corruption unit, leading to an investigation. Akhter's cooperation with the ICC allowed her to avoid a formal hearing, and the five-year ban was deemed fair and reasonable.
The ban means Akhter will be ineligible to play, coach, or participate in matches sanctioned by the ICC or any national cricket association for five years. Akhter last played for Bangladesh in 2022 and will not be able to participate in any cricket-related activities until the ban is lifted. The ICC acknowledged Akhter's admission of guilt and her cooperation with the investigation.
The charges against Akhter relate to the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa, where she attempted to fix matches and failed to report approaches from a suspected fixer. Akhter also deleted her messages and fabricated WhatsApp messages to obstruct the Anti-Corruption Unit's investigation, which was taken into account during the determination of her ban.
The five-year ban serves as a reminder of the ICC's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport, and Akhter's case will likely have implications for the cricket community. The incident highlights the importance of upholding anti-corruption guidelines and the consequences of violating them.
