Latest news with #Anti-CorruptionCode
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Revealed: English women's cricket becomes match-fixing target
There are growing fears that English women's cricket is becoming a soft target for corruption, with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of bets placed on matches. Corruption in men's cricket has been a longstanding issue for the sport, with numerous high-profile examples coming to light. A Telegraph Sport investigation can reveal a crackdown taking place in the women's game after uncovering: A total of £300,000 bet on one domestic match Players approached for team information via social media Anti-corruption officials sent to matches as part of crackdown Players forced to hand in mobile phones to officials during games Minimal security at venues during matches The men's game has been embroiled in plenty of infamous match-fixing scandals from the Hansie Cronje affair to three Pakistan players being banned and jailed for spot-fixing against England in 2010. It was only in February of this year, however, that the first female player was banned for corruption by the International Cricket Council. Former Bangladesh international Shohely Akhter, who played two ODIs and 13 T20Is, was found guilty of attempting to fix matches, offering a bribe, failing to disclose full details of an approach to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code and obstructing the organisation's investigation. In one instance, she even tried to convince a fellow player to get out hit wicket in a match against Australia during the 2023 T20 World Cup, promising to pay 2 million Bangladeshi Takas (£12,000) for the fix. Akhter formally admitted breaching five provisions of the anti-corruption code and was banned from all cricket for five years. Players at lower levels of the women's game have been asked to report approaches made to them and Telegraph Sport understands that there have been some made via anonymous accounts on social media by those looking for team information about a particular match. There is also evidence of high sums being bet on domestic women's matches. As part of a wider restructure of the domestic women's game, the T20 County Cup has been launched as an FA Cup-style knockout including all minor counties as well as the 18 first-class ones across tiers one, two and three. A number of games have been taking place at grounds rarely used for first-class cricket like Exmouth, Brecon and Fenner's. These venues come with far less security, facilities and monitoring of those in attendance. Just a few days ago, the quarter-final match between Kent, a tier-two county side, and the Blaze, who represent Nottinghamshire, had a total of more than £296,000 placed on it via the Betfair exchange, which is just one betting platform. The match was also viewed by more than 77,000 people on YouTube. At the same point on the same day, the total bet across all nine men's county fixtures totalled just £8,535 on that website. In the women's domestic game, there is no suggestion, at present, that any matches have been fixed. But one of the initial concerns was caused by the number of wides being bowled, especially in tier-two competition. Across the first 60 matches of the domestic women's season, there were 1,888, at an average of 31.46 a match. There were 15 matches with 40 or more wides. In one innings, a side conceded 72 extras of which 61 were wides, while the other team conceded 26 extras, making the match total 98. However, as a non-professional league where the players receive no compensation for playing cricket, the standards can often vary, which could be the cause of the high numbers of extras. Anti-corruption officers are now expected to look for patterns when it comes to extras as it is not a market often offered by legal betting companies. Some women's streams on YouTube can draw thousands of viewers, with the majority of remarks in the comments section referencing what people need for bets to come in and how much they have placed, rather than the action. During one Women's One-Day Cup match, viewers in the comments openly posted about their bets in Hindi and, of the 2,000 who watched the stream, the majority are believed to be based overseas. There was even one comment referencing a Raja Bets website, which is not licensed for operations in the UK. Some users have posted their bets on social media with links to websites of which almost all finish in '.in', the country code for India. In light of examples like these, the England and Wales Cricket Board has been sending anti-corruption officers to women's matches with a particular focus on those further down the pyramid in the T20 County Cup and in tier two. By the midway point of the first innings of one such match, a total of almost £20,000 had been bet on the Betfair exchange. While it is not an exceptional amount compared to the millions that are sometimes bet on overseas T20 franchise tournaments, it is a considerable sum given the crowd in attendance was fewer than 50 people. Another game in the same competition was also brought to the attention of the ECB's anti-corruption officials for the sums bet on it. It is understood that the ECB is looking to increase education programmes attended by all players at the start of the season. Extra measures have been put in place, too. Players have to hand in their phones at the start of the match, a practice that has long existed in international cricket and televised men's county games, with only a select few in the dressing room, including media officers and medical staff, allowed their devices. But that is not yet uniform across the women's county set-up. For some tier-two matches players are allowed to keep their phones, but not in games that are part of double-headers alongside the men's team or any matches against a tier-one side. Although some counties apply designated players and match official areas, which unaccredited people cannot access, it is not a uniform rule across the divisions. At the smaller grounds, Telegraph Sport discovered first-hand it can be far too easy for those without accreditation to wander into areas which should be reserved for umpires and players without being stopped by any security. Some matches have also had free entry, with no one checking tickets or any monitoring of who is watching the match. In cricket, because of the nature of the game, there is almost no limit to the number of bets that can be placed on a particular match. The markets go far beyond simply who will score the most runs, take the most wickets or which side will win. It can go as detailed as specific scores by players, economy rates of bowlers, what score a team will have at a particular point in the game or even whether both teams hit a boundary in their first over. The case involving Pakistan, from the Lord's Test in 2010, related to the deliberate bowling of no balls. But the bigger concern is the relaying of data from the ground overseas to tell someone what is going to happen prior to the betting market being closed known as 'courtsiding'. This relies on speed, but the delay of betting markets being closed can take longer than someone passing on a message to another individual. Betting sites are often banned for those in the ground to try to prevent that, but that does not necessarily stop it. Anti-corruption officials are keen to make the point that their presence does not imply players are doing anything improper. 'The presence of an anti-corruption official is not indicative of the players doing something wrong,' Steve Richardson, who was investigations coordinator for the ICC's anti-corruption unit for seven years until 2023, said. 'It's indicative of the level of risk that the ECB perceives the women's game to be at, and the women's game is now more professional than it's ever been. With that comes betting markets and with that comes a risk of corruption.'
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Ex Pak captain tied to sketchy agent
Some of the noticeable names have close ties with head of the International Cricketers Association. Photo: AFP/File A former Pakistan cricket captain has been found to have close ties with the company of suspended agent Mughiz Ahmed Sheikh and played a key role in securing contracts for several young players. Meanwhile, Sheikh has been accused of offering a British coach a bribe to include his preferred players in the team. According to details, Mughiz Ahmed Sheikh, head of the International Cricketers Association (ICA), which represents multiple Pakistani players and officials, is also registered as a player agent with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Following investigations by cricket regulators and a hearing at an independent anti-corruption tribunal, Sheikh was found guilty of four violations of the ECB's anti-corruption code. The tribunal is set to announce its decision regarding his ban in due course, while the ECB has already suspended his registration as an agent. Sources reveal that Sheikh allegedly attempted to bribe a British coach to secure spots for his preferred players in the team. The coach reported the incident, prompting an official investigation. Additionally, a former Pakistani captain, who currently holds a high-ranking position in the national setup, played a pivotal role in encouraging several young cricketers to sign contracts with ICA. In the wake of the controversy, several prominent Pakistani players, including Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Huraira, Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Ali, and Usama Mir, along with mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed and former cricketer Wahab Riaz, have reportedly severed ties with ICA. They are now represented by Game Sports Management. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to comment on the situation. However, if the ECB imposes a ban on Mughiz Ahmed Sheikh, all ICC member boards, including Pakistan, will be required to enforce the decision. Earlier, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) suspended the registration of the agent representing Pakistani cricketers and officials after he was found guilty of four violations of the ECB's Anti-Corruption Code. In response, the ECB has suspended Sheikh's registration as a player agent. Previously, the influence of the SAYA Corporation dominated Pakistan cricket, but now ICA represents the majority of cricketers and officials. Of the 25 centrally contracted players, 20 are affiliated with ICA, including notable names such as Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hurraira, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Maqeem, and Tayyab Tahir. Other players like Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Haris, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Usama Mir, and Abdul Samad are also linked to the same agency. Additionally, former cricketers such as Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and Misbah ul Haq are also represented by ICA. Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken steps in the past to reduce the influence of SAYA Corporation in cricket, but now ICA has emerged as the dominant agency representing players and officials. To obtain further details on this matter, an Express news correspondent contacted Mugees Ahmad Sheikh, but he did not respond.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak cricketers' agent suspended by ECB
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended the registration of the agent representing Pakistani cricketers and officials after he was found guilty of four violations of the ECB's Anti-Corruption Code. This agency represents more than 80% of centrally contracted cricketers and several former stars. According to reports, the agency in question, International Cricketers Association (ICA), is headed by Mugees Ahmad Sheikh, who is also registered as a player agent with the ECB. Following an investigation by the cricket regulator and a hearing at an independent anti-corruption tribunal, Sheikh was found to have committed four breaches of the ECB's Anti-Corruption Code. The anti-corruption tribunal will announce a decision on the suspension at an appropriate time. In response, the ECB has suspended Sheikh's registration as a player agent. Previously, the influence of the SAYA Corporation dominated Pakistan cricket, but now ICA represents the majority of cricketers and officials. Of the 25 centrally contracted players, 20 are affiliated with ICA, including notable names such as Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hurraira, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Maqeem, and Tayyab Tahir. Other players like Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Haris, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Usama Mir, and Abdul Samad are also linked to the same agency. Additionally, former cricketers such as Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and Misbah ul Haq are also represented by ICA. Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken steps in the past to reduce the influence of SAYA Corporation in cricket, but now ICA has emerged as the dominant agency representing players and officials. To obtain further details on this matter, an Express news correspondent contacted Mugees Ahmad Sheikh, but he did not respond.
Int'l Cricket Council
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Shohaly Akhter banned for five years under ICC anti-corruption code
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Bangladesh player Shohaly Akhter from all cricket for five years after she admitted breaching five provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Shohaly admitted to being in breach of the following provisions of the Code: Article 2.1.1: Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly or being a party to any agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any International Match, including (without limitation) by deliberately underperforming therein . Article 2.1.3: S eeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept any bribe or other Reward to (a) fix or to contrive in any way or otherwise to influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any International Match or (b) to ensure for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in an International Match. Article 2.1.4: Directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions of this Article 2.1 . Article 2.4.4: Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code . Article 2.4.7: Obstructing or delaying any investigation that may be carried out by the ACU in relation to possible Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code (by any Participant), including (without limitation) concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code. Having admitted the charges, Shohaly accepted a sanction of a five-year period of ineligibility starting 10 February 2025. The charges relate to corrupt approaches made in relation to matches in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 held in South Africa. The ICC Anti-Corruption Code and the complete Agreed Sanction decision (which has been redacted to protect the identities of the ICC's witnesses and other third parties) can be found here. ENDS
