Chronicle Editor
Sports Reporter
THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched an investigation into alleged suspicious activities during the recently concluded second edition of the Zim Afro T10 League in Harare.
The investigation is focused on wrongdoings in a match between the Durban Wolves and the Harare Bolts.
It is being said that a few cricketers were involved in suspicious activity during the 10-over cricket league with the probe specifically focusing on two overs that raised alarm bells due to a high number of extras, including wides and no-balls, in that match between Durban and Harare.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit has wasted no time, actively questioning players and officials to determine if any wrongdoing happened in the recent Zim Afro T10 tournament. The sixth over, bowled by the UAE cricketer Kashif Dawood raised the eyebrows.
In an extraordinary arrangement, Dawood’s 14-ball over saw 20 runs scored, including a staggering seven wides and two no-balls, which was an unusual pattern and sparked suspicion.
Adding fuel to the fire, Afghanistan pacer Dawlat Zadran conceded 23 runs in the ninth over, including an abnormal number of extras, with eight wides alone.
Apart from these bowlers, Yasir Shah bowled only one over in this match, but he conceded 30 runs, including three wides and three sixes. These suspicious overs have triggered intense scrutiny, with the ICC working hard to uphold the integrity of the sport.
Pakistani journalist, Saleem Khaliq broke the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Investigations have begun into the alleged suspicious activities of some cricketers in the Zim Afro T10 League. The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit has also questioned players and officials, including some Pakistanis. A mobile phone belonging to one individual has been confiscated. Officials became alert during one match due to an excessive number of wides and no-balls,” he posted.
After the match between the Durban Wolves and the Harare Bolts in the 2024 Zim Afro T10 League, the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit initiated an investigation, leading to one team owner unexpectedly departing for his home country before meeting with officials.
Additionally, the mobile phone of a player under suspicion was seized by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Team officials were also questioned by the unit about a bowler who cited fitness problems as the reason for his poor performance. However, the ICC maintained its stance of not commenting on ongoing anti-corruption investigations on the matter.
Khaliq also claimed that some Pakistani officials were questioned by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.
Bongani Ndlovu