Women’s Cricket: Corruption at T20 World Cup
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
A Bangladesh spinner, Shohely Akhter, has been banned after asking a fellow player to hit her own stumps and offering her £13,000 for doing so.
The incident occurred at the 2023 T20 Women’s World Cup, which was held in South Africa.
Akhter, who is 36 years old, admitted five breaches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code. She was not part of the team at the event but made her approach to the player in a series of voice notes on Facebook.
The player did not comply with her request and reported the matter to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.
Akhter admitted her guilt and, according to the ICC, there was no need, therefore, for a formal disciplinary hearing of the case.
She was banned for five years, which the ICC stated was “reasonable and proportionate” in the circumstances.
Such a ban is the minimum sanction and means that Akhter will not be able to play, coach, officiate or otherwise participate in matches sanctioned by the ICC or any other national cricket association for the duration of the ban.
In view of her age, this may well signal the end of her cricketing career.
Be that as it may, the integrity of sport must be paramount and upheld at all times.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
