Bangladesh women’s player Shohely Akhter has become the first female banned for corruption in cricket, after the spinner was banned for five years.
Akhter, 36, relinquished her right to a hearing by pleading guilty to five breaches of the the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code, after offering a Bangladesh player over $26,000 to be dismissed – hit wicket – during a 2023 T20 World Cup match.
Akhter, who has played two one-day internationals and 13 T20 matches for Bangladesh, was not part of the World Cup squad for the tournament and contacted the player on Facebook.
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Shohely Akhter BCB
The unnamed player was asked to hit their own stumps when batting in Bangladesh’s eight-wicket loss to Australia, with Akhtar claiming the money would come from her “cousin”, who was involved in illegal betting.
Despite urging her teammate to delete the messages, the approached player reported Akhter to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit.
“The ICC has considered all of the circumstances of this case, including giving Ms Akhter credit for agreeing an outcome that avoids the need for a hearing and so saves considerable time and money for use elsewhere in the fight against corruption.” the ICC said.
“The ICC therefore considers that a period of ineligibility of five years is reasonable and proportionate. Ms Akhter has agreed to this sanction.”
Akhter last played for Bangladesh in 2022.
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