ICC Imposes Five-Year Ban on Bangladesh Spinner Shohely Akhter for Corruption Breaches

Akhter Found Guilty of Attempted Match-Fixing During the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup

In a significant development for global cricket integrity, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a five-year ban on Bangladesh spinner Shohely Akhter after she admitted to multiple breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The charges stem from corrupt approaches made during the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, where she attempted to persuade a fellow player to engage in match-fixing activities.

Akhter’s ban, which officially commenced on February 10, 2025, follows an extensive investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). She has been found guilty of violating five provisions of the ICC’s anti-corruption regulations, including attempted match-fixing, offering financial inducements, failing to report corrupt approaches, and obstructing an ACU investigation.

The ruling serves as a stark reminder of the ICC’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and reinforces the governing body’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of international cricket.

The Corruption Attempt: Breaking Down the ICC Investigation

According to official ICC documents, the charges against Shohely Akhter are centered around an incident that took place on February 14, 2023, just before Bangladesh’s match against Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

• Akhter contacted her teammate (identified as Player A) via Facebook Messenger, sending her multiple voice notes attempting to persuade her to engage in a match-fixing scheme.
• She informed Player A that her “cousin,” who was a gambler, had asked her to arrange for Player A to get out hit wicket against Australia in exchange for a payment of 2 million Bangladeshi takas (approximately USD 18,500).
• Akhter assured Player A that the payment would come from her cousin’s betting winnings and that the conversation should remain confidential.
• She also mentioned that if 2 million takas was insufficient, her cousin could offer a higher amount.
• Akhter further attempted to cover her tracks by telling Player A that she would delete the messages once their conversation ended.

Fortunately, Player A rejected the approach, immediately reporting the matter to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and providing evidence in the form of voice notes.

Akhter’s Deception and Failed Cover-Up Attempt

When confronted by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), Shohely Akhter initially admitted to sending the voice notes but claimed that she did so merely to prove to a friend, identified as Mr. Z, that Bangladeshi players were not involved in fixing.

However, during further questioning, Akhter attempted to fabricate evidence:

• She produced screenshots claiming that her messages were part of a personal challenge between her and Mr. Z.
• ICC’s forensic analysis of the message metadata revealed that these screenshots had been manipulated after February 14, indicating deliberate fabrication.
• Upon further investigation, Akhter admitted to creating fake messages using two different phones but insisted that they accurately reflected Mr. Z’s deleted messages.
• She further confessed that she had been in contact with Mr. Z for at least a year and had begun suspecting his involvement in cricket-related corruption as early as 2022.

These actions resulted in additional charges against Akhter for obstructing an ICC investigation.

Charges and Violations Under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code

The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) found Akhter guilty of violating five major provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code:

1. Article 2.1.1 Attempting to influence the outcome of an international match through fixing or other corrupt means.
2. Article 2.1.3 Offering a financial reward (at least 2 million takas) to a teammate to engage in corruption.
3. Article 2.1.4 Encouraging, persuading, or facilitating another player to engage in corrupt activities.
4. Article 2.4.4 Failing to report corrupt approaches made to her by Mr. Z regarding match-fixing attempts.
5. Article 2.4.7 Obstructing an ICC investigation by fabricating evidence and deleting key messages.

Akhter accepted the charges and agreed to the five-year period of ineligibility, avoiding a lengthier trial process.

ICC’s Statement and Stance on Corruption in Cricket

The ICC has reiterated its zero-tolerance approach toward corruption in cricket, emphasizing that any form of match-fixing, financial inducement, or obstruction of investigations will be met with severe consequences.

Speaking on the case, an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit representative stated:

“This case demonstrates our commitment to upholding the integrity of the game. Players at all levels must be vigilant and report any corrupt approaches immediately. The ban imposed on Shohely Akhter is a strong reminder that any attempt to compromise the sport’s credibility will be dealt with firmly.”

The ACU continues to work closely with cricketing boards, players, and stakeholders to educate athletes about corruption risks and the importance of whistleblowing.

Impact on Bangladesh Cricket and Future Implications

The ban on Shohely Akhter comes as a major embarrassment for Bangladesh cricket, particularly as the sport strives to maintain credibility and transparency in international competitions.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to issue an official statement regarding the ICC’s ruling, but it is expected that stronger anti-corruption measures will be enforced within the national team setup.

Key takeaways from this case include:

• Increased vigilance: Players will likely receive enhanced education and training on identifying and reporting corruption approaches.
• Stricter surveillance: The BCB and ICC ACU may tighten monitoring of players’ interactions with external parties.
• Reinforcement of whistleblowing culture: Player A’s decision to immediately report the approach serves as a powerful example of how corruption can be tackled effectively.

Bangladesh women’s cricket has been making strides on the international stage, but incidents like these highlight ongoing challenges in safeguarding the game’s integrity.