Bangladesh’s Shohely Akhter Becomes First Female Cricketer Banned for Corruption
Bangladesh’s Shohely Akhter has made history for the wrong reasons by becoming the first woman cricketer to be banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for corruption.
The 36-year-old off-spinner was found guilty of attempting to fix matches during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup and has been handed a five-year ban from all forms of cricket. Her ban will take effect from February 10, 2025.
The Corruption Charges and ICC’s Decision
Shohely Akhter was found guilty of breaching five provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The charges include:
- Article 2.1.1 – Attempting to fix or improperly influence match results.
- Article 2.1.3 – Offering financial incentives for corrupt conduct.
- Article 2.1.4 – Persuading or inducing another player to engage in corruption.
- Article 2.4.4 – Failing to report a corrupt approach.
- Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing the investigation by deleting evidence.
Shohely admitted to these violations and accepted the five-year ban.
Shohely Akhter’s Cricketing Career
Shohely had a brief international career for Bangladesh:
- She played 2 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 13 T20 Internationals (T20Is).
- Her last appearance for the national team was in 2022.
- She was not part of the Bangladesh squad for the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup but was still involved in corrupt activities during the tournament.
How the Corruption Attempt Was Exposed
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) began its investigation after Shohely’s conversation with another Bangladeshi cricketer, identified as ‘Player A,’ was discovered.
The conversation, which took place on February 14, 2023, via Facebook Messenger, revealed Shohely’s attempt to influence match results.
The Fixing Attempt: Shohely’s Offer
Shohely approached Player A and made a shocking proposition:
- She claimed that her ‘cousin’ was involved in betting and wanted Player A to get out hit wicket in the match against Australia.
- She offered 2 million Bangladesh Takas (approximately $18,000 USD) for the fix.
- Shohely assured Player A that if the amount was insufficient, more money could be arranged.
- She promised secrecy, stating that she would delete all messages to remove any evidence.
The Whistleblower: Player A’s Crucial Role
Fortunately, Player A immediately rejected the offer and reported the matter to the ICC’s ACU.
She provided all the voice notes and messages as evidence, despite Shohely deleting them from her own device. The ACU’s investigation confirmed Shohely’s involvement in corruption.
ICC’s Findings and Investigation
During her interview with the ACU, Shohely initially tried to defend herself by claiming that the messages were sent as part of a challenge between her and a friend.
She even produced fabricated screenshots to support her claim. However, metadata analysis revealed that the screenshots were created after the approach had already been made.
Eventually, Shohely admitted that she had fabricated the messages and had been in contact with a known corrupt individual, identified as ‘Mr. Z,’ for over a year.
She acknowledged that she had suspicions about his involvement in cricket corruption since 2022.
The Impact of Shohely Akhter’s Ban
The ICC’s decision to impose a five-year ban on Shohely Akhter serves as a warning to cricketers worldwide.
It reinforces the ICC’s strict stance against corruption and highlights the importance of reporting suspicious activities.
Key Takeaways from the Ban
- Historic first: Shohely is the first woman cricketer to be banned for corruption.
- ICC’s zero-tolerance policy: Strengthens anti-corruption measures in cricket.
- Encouragement for whistleblowers: More players may now report suspicious approaches.
- Preserving the sport’s integrity: Women’s cricket is growing globally, and maintaining its credibility is crucial.
The ban on Shohely Akhter sends a clear message—corruption has no place in cricket. The ICC’s vigilance ensures that the sport remains fair and transparent for players and fans alike.
