ICC hands 8-yr ban to UAE players Amir & Ashfaq for accepting bribe

Dubai: The ICC on Thursday banned two UAE players Amir Hayat and Ashfaq Ahmed for eight years each after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

The bans are backdated to September 13, 2020, when they were provisionally suspended for corrupt conduct in relation to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 in the UAE.

Hayat played 13 limited-overs games and bagged 17 wickets with his medium pace while the right-handed batter, Ashfaq represented UAE in 28 limited-overs matches.

According to ICC's media release, the duo has been charged with five offences by the Anti-Corruption Tribunal following a full hearing and presentation of written and oral argument - Article 2.1.3, Article 2.4.2, Article 2.4.3, Article 2.4.4 and Article 2.4.5.

Article 2.1.3 – Seeking, 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) ensure for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in an International Match.

Article 2.4.2 – failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit, (a) that the Participant knew or should have known was given to him/her to procure (directly or indirectly) any breach of the Anti-Corruption Code, or (b) that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

Article 2.4.3 - failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) all gifts (whether monetary or otherwise), hospitality and/or other non-contractual benefits offered to a Participant that have a value of 750 US dollar or more, whether or not the circumstances set out in Article 2.4.2 are present, save that there shall be no obligation to disclose any (i) personal gifts, hospitality and/or other non-contractual benefits offered by or on behalf of any close friend or relative of the Participant, (ii) any food or beverage gifts or (iii) cricket hospitality gifts in connection with Matches the Participant is participating in.

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 2.4.5 – failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any facts or matters that came to his attention that may evidence Corrupt Conduct under the Code by another Participant.

'Both Amir and Ashfaq had played cricket at the highest level for long enough to understand the threat from match fixers,' said Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager - Integrity Unit.

'The two UAE players, attended several ICC anti-corruption education sessions, and knew how to avoid becoming involved in any corrupt activity. They failed in these obligations and let down their teammates and everyone involved in UAE Cricket, in their adopted country. Their lengthy ban should serve as a warning to others,' he added. (UNI)