Dubai – United Arab Emirates, First Published Jan 28, 2022, 7:36 PM IST
Dubai: The ICC has banned former Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor from playing cricket for three-and-a-half years for failing to report bookies’ approach and using drugs. Taylor, 35, recently revealed on social media that he had not informed the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Commission about the bookies’ approach. This was followed by the ICC action.
The ban lasts until July 28, 2025. On the 24th of this month, Taylor revealed on social media that a group of Indian businessmen who had copied pictures of him using cocaine had forced and blackmailed him into betting. Taylor had stated that the incident took place in 2019 but he did not join the betting.
Taylor had admitted failing to report the incident to the ICC Anti-Corruption Commission. Taylor said he had been drinking with Indian businessmen and had given them cocaine in the meantime. Taylor said he was fooled into tasting cocaine and was blackmailed into believing that the same people would later release the pictures and footage.
Taylor said he was never part of the betting and that he was not a cheater. Alex Marshall, head of the ICC’s integrity unit, said Taylor’s sentence was reduced to a three – and – a – half year sentence for pleading guilty.
Taylor, who has played 34 Tests for Zimbabwe, has scored 2320 runs, including six centuries. Taylor has scored 6684 runs in 205 ODIs, including 11 centuries, and 859 runs in 44 T20 matches. He has taken nine wickets in ODIs and one in T20I.
Last Updated Jan 28, 2022, 7:38 PM IST
