Two UAE players banned for eight years for breaching ICC Anti-Corruption Code

Experienced UAE players Amir Hayat and Ashfaq Ahmed have been slapped with eight-year ban each from all forms of cricket after they were found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Speaking about the development, ICC general manager, Alex Marshall, said that strict actions were taken against the duo because given their seniority. "Both Amir and Ashfaq had played cricket at the highest level for long enough to understand the threat from match-fixers."

Marshall further stated that both players had attended more than enough ICC anti-corruption education sessions to know how to avoid the entire scenario.

"The lengthy ban should serve as a warning to others," Marshall concluded.

According to a media release from the ICC, the two cricketers have been charged with five offences, 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 US$750 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.

The bans on the duo 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.

The two players were initially issued a suspension notice by the Emirate Cricket Board during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in October 2019.