Dhaka, Bangladesh – Shohely Akhter, a former Bangladesh cricketer, has been banned for five years from all forms of cricket after admitting to five breaches of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code.
The 36-year-old spinner was found guilty of attempting to influence a fellow Bangladeshi player during the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023. Akhter offered £13,000 ($16,000) for the player to be dismissed in a hit-wicket dismissal during the match.
The unnamed player reported Akhter’s approach, and it was revealed that Akhter was not involved in the tournament. She also admitted to obstructing the investigation, which contributed to the severity of her sanction.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Reacts
Najmul Abedin Fahim, director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and head of the women’s wing, expressed regret over the incident, stating that the board has zero tolerance for corruption and is working hard to prevent match-fixing at all levels.
Akhter, who has played 13 T20 internationals and two ODIs for Bangladesh, was last involved in international cricket in 2022. Her suspension will prevent her from playing in any cricketing activities for the next five years.
