The International Cricket Council (ICC) has toughened its stance on corruption and match-fixing. The ICC recently banned Bangladeshi cricketer Shohely Akhter from all forms of cricket for 5 years due to corruption charges, setting an infamous record in the sport’s history.
Charges of bribery and related offenses decimate Shohely Akhter’s career
Bangladesh off-spinner Akhter is the first female cricketer to be banned for corruption. The 36-year-old, who has represented Bangladesh in two ODIs and 13 T20Is, was found guilty of multiple breaches of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code (ACU). Her offenses included attempting to fix matches, offering a bribe, failing to fully disclose a corrupt approach, and obstructing the investigation. Consequently,?? officials banned her from all cricket for five years after she admitted to violating five provisions of the anti-corruption code.
Akhter’s corruption scandal
The charges against her stem from an approach she made to a Bangladesh cricketer during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Although Akhter was not part of the playing squad, having last featured for Banglad?esh in October 2022, h?er actions have led to severe consequences, serving as a stark reminder of the ICC’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption in cricket.
Also Read: IC?C Women’s T20I Rankings: Smriti Mandhana maintains batting dominance; Deandra Dottin’s significant rise among all-rounders
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) uncovered Akhter’s involvement in match-fixing through an investigation into her Facebook Messenger conversation with a Bangladesh cricketer on February 14, 2023—the day of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup match against Australia. Akhter attempted to bribe the player with 2 million Bangladeshi Taka (approximately USD 16,400) to get out? hit wicket during the game. The player, however, immediately reported the approach to the ACU, providing crucial voice notes as evidence, despite Akhter deleting the files from her o??wn devices.
During the ACU interview, Akhter admitted to sending the messages but initially claimed she ??was merely proving that Bangladesh players were not involved in fixing. She also presented fabricated screenshots to support her defense, but forensic analysis exposed the deception. Given the circumstances, including her agreement to a resolution without a formal hearing, the ICC imposed a five-year ban, deeming it fair and proportionate. Akhter accepted the sanction, and neither she nor the ICC can appeal the decision. Her case serves as a signifi?cant warning against corruption in cricket, reinforcing the ICC’s strict stance on maintaining the sport’s integrity.
Also Read: B??angladesh Cricket Board part ways with Hashan Tillakaratne; appoints new head coach for Women’s team
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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]]>The 2023 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be played in South Africa – the country which has just staged the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, won by India.
The 10 participation teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of Australia, New Zealand, South Afri?ca, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Group B?? will feature India, Pakistan, England, West Indies and Ireland.
In the tournament starting from February 10, each team will co??mpete with the other four in their group only once. The top two teams from each group will then advan?ce to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for February 26, with a reserve day available on February 27.
Ahead of the Women’s T20 WC 2023, let us have ?a look at the complete squads of all 10 teams.
Group 1
Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth?? Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy ??Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold?, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
South Africa: Annerie Derckse??n, Marizanne Kapp, Lara Goodall, Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Shabnim Ismail, Tazmin Brits, Masabata Klaas, Laura Wolvaardt, Si??nalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Delmi Tucker.
Non-travelling reserves: Micaéla Andrews, Tebogo Mach??eke, Tumi Sekhukhune.
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Marufa Akter, Fahima Khatu?n, Salma Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Rumana Ahmed, Lata Mondol, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Ritu Moni, Disha Biswas, Sobhana Mostary, Fargana ??Hoque Pinky.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Oshadi Ranasinghe, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva,? Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Mals?ha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya, Vishmi Gunaratne, Tharika Sewwandi, Ama Kanchana, Sathya Sandeepani.
Group 2
India: Harmanpreet K??????????????????????????aur (c), Smrit??i Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey.
Travell??ing Reserves: Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneh Rana, Meghna Singh.
Pakistan: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Sadaf Shamas, ?Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, O??maima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tuba Hassan.
Travelling Res?erves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz.
England: Heather Knight (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Na?t Sciver, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.
Travelling Reserves: Issy Wong, Dani Gibson.
West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karish??ma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor,?? Rashada Williams.
Ireland: Laura Delany (c), Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kel?ly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Eimear Richardson, Rachel Delaney, Mary Waldron.
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]]>Cricket Australia (CA) has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, starting February 10. The same outfit will also play against Pakistan in th?e hom??e three-match T20I series ahead of the global showpiece event.
The team will be captained by Meg Lanning, who is set to make her international comeback against Pakistan next week following her break from the game. Wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy is expected to be fit for the multi-team event after suffering a calf strain in India so does veteran spinner Jess Jonassen who recently made her comeback af??ter a h?amstring injury.
“Alyssa and Jess [Jonassen] are expected to be fully fit and firing after minor injuries as well, so we’ve got a full-strength squad with plenty of variety with both bat and ball if required,” said national selector Shawn Flegler in an official statement.
Further, leg-spinner Georgia Wareham has also been recalled to Australia’s squad for their title defence. Notably, Wareham has returned to action for Victoria after more than a year following an ACL injury in October 2021. She has a re?markable record in the shortest format for Australia, taking 36 wickets at 13.52 and an economy of 5.80 in 35 matches.
“Seeing Meg and Georgia back in action for Victoria has been exciting. Both bring a wealth of experience to the group, which is always crucial during major tournaments. Georgia, in particular, has had a tough run of injuries, but she’s shown a great deal of resilience, and her return is a real boost for the side,” Flegler added.
Australia squad for T20 World Cup and home series against Pakistan:
Meg Lanning (captain), Alyssa Healy (VC & WK), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia War??eham.
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]]>England have announced their 15-member squad for the 2023 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in South A?frica from February 10 to 26.
Heather Knight will continue to lead the side, which is placed in Grou?p B alongside India, West ??Indies, Ireland and Pakistan.
22-year-old Charlie Dean, who has established herself as a mainstay of England’s ODI team over the past 15 months, retained her place in the T20I squad. She picked up 18 wickets against West Indies in last month’s ODI and T20I encounters. Alongside her impressive strike rate, Dean also boasted an astonishing economy rate of 4.64 in the West Indies T20Is, further highlighting her restrictive impact on opposition batters.
Another teenager Alice Capsey, who continues her recovery from a broken collarbone suffered on the tour of the Caribbean before Christmas, has been included in England’s Women’s T20 World Cup squad.
“It’s always exciting to name a World Cup squad, and there’s a great deal of talent in this group. We saw a lot of good things in the West Indies, a lot of progress around shifting our mindset as a team, and I’m excited to see how we take that into the challenge of a global tournament,” said Jon Lewis, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“We hope Alice is fit enough, she’s worked incredibly hard alongside the medical staff to get to this point and we’ll give her every chance, but as we saw in the Caribbean the depth of talent and skill in the squad is growing fast and winning tournaments is about everyone collectively embracing the moment and enjoying the journey,” he added.
Meanwhile, Freya Kemp – England’s breakout star of the 2022 season – got ruled out of the World Cup due to a lower back injury she sustained during the Caribbean tour.
England Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 squad
Starting 15: Heather Knight (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (??wk), Nat Sciver, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt
Travelling reserves: Issy Wong, Dani Gibson
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]]>Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Wednesday, announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in South Afr??ica from February 10 to February 26.
The apex cricket board has n?amed the ODI squad for the Australia tour, starting January 16 in Brisbane. Further, the tour down under will also witness a three-match T20I leg, for which the same squad has been picked as was for the T20I World Cup.
Veteran seamer Diana Baig has made her comeback after missing out in the home series against Ireland in October-November due to a shoulder injury. Her last appearance came during the group stage match against Thailand at the Asia Cup 2022. Regular skipper Bismah Maroof will continue to lead the tea??m in both as??signments.
Pakistan will play three ODIs against Australia, which is part of the ICC Women’s Cricket Championship 2022-25 cycle, followed by three T20Is. Then, in the global showpiece event, Pakistan are placed in Group 2 alongside England, India, Ireland and West Indies. The Women in Green will start their campaign against arch-rivals India on February 12 at Newlands in Cape Town.
“The return of Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan will give a boost to the side and will strengthen our bowling attack, which has the capability to do well. Sidra Nawaz has been added as our second wicket-keeper in the squad to give Muneeba Ali some space to express herself more with the bat, and gives an added option to the captain to utilise the services of a second wicket-keeper on the long tour,” said chief selector Asmavia Iqbal in an official statement.
Pakistan ODI squad for the Australia series:
Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk?), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wk)
Travelling Reserves: Aimen Anw?ar, Javeria Khan and Tuba Hassan
Pakistan T20I squad for Australia and Women’s T20 World Cup 2023:
Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Ri??????????????????????????az, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Mu?neeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan.
Reserv??es: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imt??iaz and Sadaf Shamas
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]]>The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. The global showpiece event will be hosted by South Africa.
Bangladesh and Ireland, the finalists of the 2022 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, have successfully acquired the last two spots in the ten-team tournament, which will be played in Paarl, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
The Proteas, hosts of the 20-over competition, will take on Sri Lanka in the opening match on February 10 2023, in Cape Town. The final will be held on February?? 26, and a reserve day is ??available on the 27th.
When it comes to teams, defending champions Australia are placed in Group 1 along with New Zeal?and, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Similarly, India, Ireland, West Indies, Engl??and and Pakistan are in Group 2.
The first double-header of the tour?nament will be played at Boland Park Stadium, with England and the West Indies?? taking on each other in the first match, followed by Australia facing New Zealand.
Newlands will then host the second double-header featuring four? sub-continent sides where arch-rivals India will lock horns with Pakistan in the first game, followed by the contest between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“We are thrilled to be announcing the match schedule for the next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as we look to build on the success of Australia 2020 and host a uniquely African celebration of cricket,” said ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice in a statement.
“As a key strategic priority for the sport, women’s cricket continues to build momentum and engage more fans than ever before. With T20 as the growth vehicle for cricket, we are confident that this event and the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup preceding the senior event will leave a lasting legacy to grow girls and women’s cricket around the world,” added Geoff.
Groups:
Group 1: Austra??lia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Group 2: England, India, West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland
Fixtures:
- February 10 – South Africa v Sri Lanka Cape Town
- February 11 – West Indies v England Paarl
Australia v New Zealand Paarl - February 12 – India v Pakistan Cape Town
Bangladesh v Sri Lanka Cape Town - February 13 – Ireland v England Paarl
South Africa v New Zealand Paarl - February 14 – Australia v Bangladesh Gqeberha
- February 15 – West Indies v India Cape Town
Pakistan v Ireland Cape Town - February 16 – Sri Lanka v Australia Gqeberha
- February 17 – New Zealand v Bangladesh Cape Town
West Indies v Ireland Cape Town - February 18 – England v India Gqeberha
South Africa v Australia Gqeberha - February 19 – Pakistan v West Indies Paarl
New Zealand v Sri Lanka Paarl - February 20 – Ireland v India Gqeberha
- February 21 – England v Pakistan Cape Town
South Africa v Bangladesh Cape Town - February 23 – SEMI-FINAL 1 Cape Town
- February 24 – RESERVE DAY Cape Town
SEMI-FINAL 2 Cape Town - February 25 – RESERVE DAY Cape Town
- February 26 – FINAL Cape Town
- February 27 – RESERVE DAY Cape Town
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