• Sportzyverse
• T20 World Cup 2024
• 06/18/2024
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The integrity of cricket faced another test during the ongoing T20 World Cup when a potential match-fixing approach was made to a Ugandan player. According to PTI, a former Kenya international contacted the player multiple times from different numbers during the league stage matches in Guyana. Adhering to ICC’s strict anti-corruption protocol, the Ugandan player promptly reported the approach to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit (ACU) officials on site.

Immediate ICC Response

Upon receiving the report, ICC officials swiftly raised a red flag against the former Kenya player, informing all associate teams about the individual. “It is not a surprise that this person targeted a player from the Ugandan national team. Associate nations, compared to the big teams, are soft targets for corruption, but in this case, the player who was approached did the needful by informing the ICC at the earliest,” a source told PTI.

https://x.com/doncricket_/status/1803021207509573906

Failure to report a corrupt approach is an offence under the ICC’s anti-corruption code. The code also covers other offences such as match-fixing, betting on the game, misuse of inside information, and failing to cooperate with an investigation. “Players are approached all the time, more so from smaller nations. In bigger events like the T20 World Cup, there is more scrutiny and if an approach is conveyed to the ICC ACU, then due protocol is followed and a proper investigation is conducted,” another source noted.

Uganda, participating in the T20 World Cup for the first time alongside Canada and co-hosts USA, ended their campaign with a memorable win over Papua New Guinea and losses to Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies in Trinidad. Uganda played three of their four league games in Guyana, and the team’s resilience and adherence to the ICC’s anti-corruption protocols were commendable.

ICC’s Enhanced Anti-Corruption Measures

With effect from June 1, the ICC revised its anti-corruption code to strengthen its ability to proactively and thoroughly investigate incidents of corruption. The updated code empowers the ICC and its member boards to protect the integrity of the game more effectively. “The anti-corruption code covers all cricket (whether international or domestic) played under the auspices of the ICC and its Members and applies to all participants: players, coaches, trainers, managers, selectors, team owners or officials, doctors, physiotherapists, match referees, pitch curators, player agents, umpires, as well as ICC and NCF officials. Participants are bound by the code for two years after they have last participated in any form of official cricket.”

The maximum sanction for the most serious breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code is a life ban from all involvement in the game. In some countries, criminal sanctions are also possible. The code emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring all participants are well-versed in the anti-corruption measures.

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Corrupt approaches at major cricket events are not new. For instance, during the 2011 ODI World Cup in India, Canada’s then-20-year-old wicketkeeper Hamza Tariq was approached by alleged bookmakers. He promptly reported the matter to the authorities, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat corruption in cricket.

The ICC’s swift action in addressing the potential match-fixing approach at the T20 World Cup underscores the importance of vigilance and adherence to anti-corruption protocols. The incident involving the Ugandan player serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in maintaining the integrity of the game.