Dhaka
Bangladesh’s Shoheli Akhtar became the first female cricketer to be banned by ICC on corruption charges. He was found guilty of trying to fix the match during the 2023 T20 World Cup. Shoheli, 36, was banned for five years.
Off -spin bowler Shoheli has played two ODIs for Bangladesh and 13 T20 international matches, admitted to violating five provisions of the ICC Anti -Corruption Code during the tournament in South Africa. The charges were related to the corrupt contacts made during the Women’s T20 World Cup matches. However, she was not part of the Bangladesh team for that tournament. Shoheli last played for Bangladesh in 2022.
Shoheli accepted allegations of violations of Article 2.1.1, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.4.4 and 2.4.7 of Code and accepted a five -year ban on 10 February 2025. The ACU investigation was focused on Shoheli’s conversation on Facebook Messenger with a cricketer, identified as ‘Khiladi A’ by ICC on 14 February 2023.
During the investigation, the ACU found that on 14 February, in the Women’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh vs. Australia, Shoheli contacted his friend and team partner through Facebook Messenger in which she agreed to fix her in Bangladesh matches in future. Tried to do it.
According to the investigation, Shoheli told his team’s partner that his ‘cousin’, who ‘betting on his phone’, asked him if he would be a hit wicket out during Australia match. Shoheli also told the said player that if she fixing, she will be paid 2 million Bangladeshi Taka, and this money would come from her ‘cousin’ won by her betting.
According to the ICC investigation, the cricketer also told the partner of his team that if 2 million taka is not enough, then his ‘cousin’ can pay him more and promised that full confidentiality would be maintained in which his messages will be maintained. Erase is also involved so that they do not be present.
The player who was contacted not only rejected the proposals but immediately reported the case to ACU, provided all the voice notes of Shoheli who had removed those messages on their devices.