ICC orders life ban for two cricketers over playing corrupt games!

ICC ordered life ban for two cricketers,  Irfan Ahmed and Nadeem Ahmed, after it found them guilty of trying to corrupt several matches, reports ESPN Cric Info. The two players are playing for Hong Kong team and they are brothers. Their fellow player,  Haseeb Amjad, was also handed a 5-year ban for spot-fixing.

All of them were charged and suspended in October 2018 for "fixing" or trying to "influence" the result or progress of a match. While Amjad can return by 2023, others ar banned from the game for life.

"This has been a long and complex investigation which has uncovered systematic attempts to influence moments in matches by experienced international cricketers over a period of time," Alex Marshall, ICC general manager of anti-corruption unit said.

Irfan was charged with 9 breaches of the ICC anti-corruption code while Nadeem was charged with 3. Haseeb, who was handed a 5-year ban was also charged with 3 breaches.

“The main offences relate to the Hong Kong matches against Scotland and Canada where the players fixed specific overs. These matches were won by Hong Kong so it did not materially affect the results of the tournament, however I cannot reiterate strongly enough to any player considering this that we treat any form of fixing – spot or match – with the upmost seriousness ... The severity of the offences is reflected in the sanctions and I hope will deter other players from taking this path and demonstrate to cricket fans around the world our commitment to a corruption free sport," Marshall further said.