Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Amidst Allegations of Corruption and NepotismFormer fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed has resigned from his position as a regional coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing rampant political interference, favouritism, and nepotism in cricket affairs at the grassroots level.In his resignation letter, Shabbir, who served as the head coach in the Dera Ghazi Khan region, expressed his frustration with the deplorable conditions prevalent in Pakistani cricket. He stated that merit was disregarded in player selection, with political connections and favouritism taking precedence."How can Pakistan cricket improve when there is no merit in selection of players at regional level and there is so much interference and nepotism and favouritism by cricket officials?" Shabbir said.Shabbir had taken on the role of head coach in Dera Ghazi Khan with the aim of promoting and developing the game at the district and regional levels. However, he found the situation untenable and chose to distance himself from the current state of affairs."Unfortunately what I have experienced is very frustrating. A player who works hard throughout the year and is a good talent is overlooked in the final selection to pick a player who use political and other connections to get in," he said.Shabbir's resignation comes amidst Pakistan's recent 0-2 loss to Bangladesh, a result that has highlighted the decline of Pakistani cricket. Shabbir believes that the current system is hindering the development of talented players and contributing to the team's poor performance."Even if coaches who are sincere want to do something they are helpless in the existing system," Shabbir said.The PCB has yet to comment on Shabbir's resignation, but his allegations have raised serious concerns about the state of cricket in Pakistan. If the PCB fails to address these issues, it could have a detrimental impact on the future of the sport in the country.

Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating three counts of the anti-corruption code. The charges stem from alleged corrupt approaches made to Jayawickrama in international matches and the Lanka Premier League (LPL).According to the ICC statement, Jayawickrama, 25, has been charged under articles 2.4.4 and 2.4.7 of the code. These charges include:* Failing to report an approach to engage in match-fixing in future international matches to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) without unnecessary delay.* Failing to report an approach to approach another player on behalf of a corrupter to engage in match-fixing in the 2021 LPL to the ACU without unnecessary delay.* Obstructing the investigation by deleting messages containing the approaches and offers to engage in corrupt conduct.Jayawickrama has 14 days from August 6 to respond to the charges. The ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have agreed that the ICC will handle the LPL charge alongside the charges related to international matches.Jayawickrama made his international debut in a Test match against Bangladesh in April 2021. He has since played five Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is for Sri Lanka. His last appearance for the national team was in a T20I series against Australia in 2022.In the 2021 LPL, Jayawickrama was part of the Jaffna Kings team that won the title. He played one match that season, taking two wickets. In the 2024 LPL, he represented the Dambulla Sixers.The ICC's anti-corruption code is designed to protect the integrity of the sport and prevent corruption from infiltrating cricket. The charges against Jayawickrama are a serious matter, and the ICC will investigate the allegations thoroughly.

The scourge of corruption in cricket continues to plague the sport, but a recent incident involving a former Kenya international and a Ugandan player during the ongoing T20 World Cup was swiftly dealt with by the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit.According to sources, the incident occurred during the league stage matches in Guyana, where a former Kenya pacer repeatedly contacted a Ugandan team member from different numbers. The Ugandan player promptly reported the approach to ACU officials on site, adhering to the ICC's strict anti-corruption protocol.The development prompted the officials to raise a red flag against the former Kenya player and inform all associate teams about his suspicious behavior. Sources indicate that associate nations, compared to major teams, are often targeted by corrupt individuals due to their perceived vulnerability. However, in this case, the player's prompt reporting prevented any potential wrongdoing.Uganda ended their T20 World Cup campaign with a memorable victory over Papua New Guinea but suffered losses to Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies. The team played three of their four league games in Guyana, where the alleged approach took place.Another source emphasized that players are frequently approached, particularly from smaller nations. In major events like the T20 World Cup, scrutiny is heightened, and any reported approaches are thoroughly investigated by the ICC ACU.The ICC's anti-corruption code has been updated as of June 1 to empower the governing body and its member boards to proactively investigate corruption incidents and protect the integrity of the game. The code covers all cricket played under the auspices of the ICC and its members and applies to all participants, including players, coaches, managers, and officials.All international players are regularly briefed on potential threats and are well-versed in the anti-corruption code. Corrupt approaches at major events are not uncommon. In the 2011 ODI World Cup in India, Canada's then-20-year-old wicket-keeper Hamza Tariq was approached by alleged bookmakers but reported the matter to the authorities.The ICC's commitment to combating corruption in cricket is unwavering, and the swift action taken in this recent incident demonstrates the organization's determination to protect the sport's integrity.

Lanka Premier League Terminates Contract with Dambulla Thunders Amid Corruption AllegationsThe Lanka Premier League (LPL) has taken swift action by terminating its contract with the Dambulla Thunders franchise with immediate effect. This decision comes after the arrest of Thunders owner Tamim Rahman in Colombo on Wednesday.Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi origin, was apprehended by the Sri Lankan police prior to boarding a flight. The arrest is reportedly linked to corruption within the LPL, although specific details remain unclear at this time.The LPL has not released an official statement regarding the termination of the Thunders' contract. However, sources within the league have confirmed the move, citing the severity of the allegations against Rahman.The Dambulla Thunders were one of five teams participating in the inaugural edition of the LPL, which is currently underway in Sri Lanka. The franchise had won two of its first three matches before the news of Rahman's arrest broke.The LPL is a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket league that was launched in 2020. The tournament features some of the world's top cricketers, including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Lasith Malinga.The arrest of Rahman and the subsequent termination of the Dambulla Thunders' contract have cast a shadow over the LPL. The league has pledged to cooperate fully with the police investigation and has vowed to take all necessary steps to maintain the integrity of the competition.