The International Cricket Council has slapped a two-year ban on Bangladesh all-rounder Nasir Hossain from all forms of for breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
The 32-year-old cricketer admitted to three charges and has been handed a two-year complete ban from all formats, with six months suspended. The player had been charged by the council in September 2023.
The global governing body for cricket said in an official statement that Hossain admitted to fail to “disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of a gift that was offered to him that had a value of over $750, namely the gift of a new iPhone 12,” which went in violation of Article 2.4.3 of the Code.
Additionally, he breached Article 2.4.4 of the Code by not providing full details to the probe official regarding “the approach or invitation he received to engage in Corrupt Conduct via the new iPhone 12.”
He also violated Article 2.4.6 of the Code by refusing to cooperate with the designated anti-corruption official’s investigation without compelling justification, the charge sheet read.
It added that Hossain also failed to provide accurate and complete information or documentation requested by the designation official as part of the probe.
Hossain played 115 matches for Bangladesh across formats between 2011 and 2018, scoring 2695 runs and taking 39 wickets.
He has since featured largely in the domestic circuit, most recently turning out in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League for Prime Bank Cricket Club.
The cricketer will be free to resume international cricket on April 7, 2025, provided he satisfies the conditions in rest to the suspended part of the sanction.
In November last year, former West Indies batter Marlon Samuels, who played pivotal roles in 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup victories for his side, was slapped with a six-year ban after being found guilty of breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code.
The tribunal found the former West Indies batter guilty of breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code, specifically for failing to disclose payments, gifts, and hospitality that could tarnish the sport’s reputation. He had been punished for a similar offence 15 years ago.—AFP
