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On Tuesday, February 11, Bangladesh’s Shohely Akhtar became the first female cricketer to be handed five-year ban for breaching International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Anti-Corruption Code. The Bangladesh cricketer admitted of her violations which led to ICC take the necessary actions.
Notably, Akhtar was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.1, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.4.4 and 2.4.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct, thus accepting her ban for a period of five years, starting from February 10, 2025 onward. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the Bangladesh spinner was involved in corruption charges relating to matches in the T20 World Cup 2023, which was held in South Africa.
Shohely Akhtar banned for five years, starting from February 10, 2025
As per the release issued by the ICC, "On 14th February, 2023, prior to the Bangladesh vs Australia match in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023, Ms. Akhter contacted her friend and teammate, [PLAYER A], via Facebook Messenger, sending her voice notes in which she tried to persuade [PLAYER A] to agree to carry out fixes in future Bangladesh matches.”
"In particular, Ms Akhter told [PLAYER A] that her 'cousin' who bets on his phone, has asked her to speak to [PLAYER A] and ask [PLAYER A] whether she would get out hit wicket after a pace delivery during the Australia match. Ms Akhter also told [PLAYER A] that she would be paid 2 million Bangladesh takas if she did the fix, and the money would come from winnings that her 'cousin' made from his bets,” the statement further read.
Although, all needs were fulfilled during the telephonic conversation made between the ones related to the incident, but Play A rejected the approach and reported the matter to the ACU along with providing evidences in the form of copies of the voice notes. In the voice notes, as quoted by Cricbuzz, Shohely Akhtar stated, “but claimed that she only did so in order to show her friend, [Mr Z], that members of the Bangladesh team were not involved in fixing, not because she was genuinely making a corrupt approach".
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Based on the proofs of evidence after thorough investigation, Akhter has been charged under for five Articles breaches. It is to be noted that the Bangladesh spinner has so far represented her national side in two ODIs and 13 T20Is. Aged 36, Akhtar will turn 37 this June and this call might bring curtains to her international career, seeing her sit out of the game for five long years.
