In a shocking development in the world of cricket, Bangladesh spinner Shohely Akhter has been banned for five years after offering a fellow player £13,000 (around $16,465) to get dismissed hit wicket during a World Cup match. The 36-year-old cricketer, who has represented Bangladesh in various formats, admitted to breaching the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code five times for this offense during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
This incident has caused a major stir in the cricketing community, leading to severe consequences for Shohely Akhter’s career. Akhter, who had not been part of Bangladesh’s squad for the tournament, attempted to manipulate a player during the Tigresses’ match against Australia on 14 February 2023. Instead of accepting the bribe, the player reported the matter to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, leading to Akhter’s eventual ban.
The Incident: Shohely Akhter’s Corrupt Offer
The shocking incident took place during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, when Bangladesh faced Australia in an eight-wicket defeat. Shohely Akhter, despite not being part of the official squad, took it upon herself to offer one of her teammates a large sum of money to deliberately get dismissed hit wicket, a form of dismissal where the batter knocks down the stumps with their body or bat while batting.
According to reports, Shohely Akhter made the offer through a series of voice messages on Facebook. The unnamed player was allegedly offered £13,000 to deliberately get out in a manner that would allow Bangladesh to avoid a loss or improve their position in the match. However, the player chose to take the ethical route, reporting the incident immediately to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit.
The fact that Shohely Akhter took such drastic steps to manipulate a match is a stark violation of the ethical standards upheld by the International Cricket Council. Match-fixing and corruption are seen as one of the most significant threats to the integrity of the sport, and Akhter’s actions have drawn the ire of the cricketing world.
Shohely Akhter’s Admission of Guilt and the Consequences
Following the investigation, Shohely Akhter admitted to the breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code. This admission allowed the ICC to forgo a formal disciplinary hearing or process. Instead, the governing body determined that Akhter’s actions warranted a five-year ban from all cricket-related activities.
Akhter’s breach of the ICC’s anti-corruption code was not limited to a single incident; she admitted to five separate violations of the code. As a result, the ICC concluded that the length of the ban was reasonable and proportionate to the severity of her offenses.
The consequences of this ban are dire for Shohely Akhter. The five-year period will prevent her from playing in any ICC-sanctioned matches, coaching, officiating, or participating in any capacity in cricket-related activities, either in international cricket or in any national cricket association. For a professional cricketer, this kind of ban can be a career-ending blow, especially considering that Akhter has not played for Bangladesh since 2022.
This ruling also serves as a warning to other players involved in international cricket: the ICC takes corruption and match-fixing allegations very seriously, and the consequences of such actions are severe. Akhter’s case will likely be remembered as a cautionary tale within the cricketing world.
Shohely Akhter’s Career and Background
Shohely Akhter, who is 36 years old, is a talented cricketer who represented Bangladesh in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 matches. She has played two ODIs and 13 T20 matches for her country. Akhter is a left-arm spinner who has made contributions to the Bangladesh women’s cricket team over the years, but her career has been marred by this highly unethical incident.
Before the ban, Akhter had not played for Bangladesh since 2022. Her offer to bribe a teammate during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, a tournament that garners international attention, has undoubtedly caused a stain on her legacy. Despite her talent and potential, her involvement in this scandal has led to the termination of her career in international cricket for the time being.
With her five-year ban, Shohely Akhter will miss out on future international tournaments, including potential World Cups, regional championships, and international series. Additionally, her inability to coach or officiate in cricket matches means that Akhter will be sidelined from any role within the sport, further affecting her future involvement in the game.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code and the Fight Against Match-Fixing
The International Cricket Council has been taking a firm stance against corruption and match-fixing in cricket. The sport’s integrity has been compromised in the past by similar scandals, and the ICC has worked hard to implement stringent anti-corruption measures. Akhter’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against corruption within the sport.
Under the ICC’s anti-corruption code, players, officials, and others involved in the game must uphold the highest ethical standards, and any attempt to manipulate the outcome of a match or offer bribes is deemed as a severe breach. The ICC has a zero-tolerance policy toward match-fixing and corruption, and they have shown a clear commitment to ensuring that the integrity of the sport is protected at all costs.
The case of Shohely Akhter highlights the importance of reporting any form of match-fixing or corruption. The player who reported the incident acted in accordance with the ICC’s regulations, ensuring that the matter was investigated thoroughly. It also demonstrates that the ICC’s anti-corruption unit is vigilant in monitoring and investigating potential breaches, regardless of how covert the attempt may be.
The Role of Integrity in Women’s Cricket
Women’s cricket has been growing in popularity and visibility in recent years, with increasing attention on major tournaments such as the Women’s T20 World Cup. The integrity of the game is crucial for the continued development and expansion of the women’s cricketing landscape, and the ICC has been working hard to protect it.
The Shohely Akhter scandal serves as a reminder that corruption can infiltrate any level of cricket, regardless of gender. The incident also underscores the need for strong measures to prevent match-fixing and to safeguard the future of the game for female cricketers.
As women’s cricket continues to make strides in the sporting world, ensuring fair play and ethical behavior will be essential for its growth. The actions of Shohely Akhter not only hurt her own career but also cast a shadow over the integrity of women’s cricket, leading to calls for stronger anti-corruption initiatives within the women’s game.
Conclusion: The End of Shohely Akhter’s International Career
Shohely Akhter’s five-year ban is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of cricket. Her offer to bribe a fellow player during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup has led to severe consequences, effectively ending her career in international cricket. The incident also reinforces the ICC’s commitment to fighting corruption in the sport, ensuring that players and officials who engage in such unethical conduct are held accountable.
For Shohely Akhter, this scandal marks the end of her involvement in international cricket for the foreseeable future. The consequences of her actions will undoubtedly impact her legacy and the sport of cricket as a whole. As the fight against corruption continues, the Shohely Akhter case will stand as a stark reminder of the potential dangers facing the integrity of the game.
