In a stunning turn of events, Bangladesh’s off-spinner Shohely Akhter has become the first female cricketer to be banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for corruption charges. The 36-year-old cricketer, who had a modest international career, was found guilty of attempting to fix matches, offering bribes, and obstructing an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa.
Who Is Shohely Akhter?
Shohely Akhter’s cricket career was marked by limited but notable appearances. She represented Bangladesh Women in just two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 13 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), where she took a total of 11 wickets across formats.
Her best bowling figures came in T20Is, with an impressive 4/7, showcasing her potential as a bowler. In ODIs, she played two matches, taking three wickets with a best of 3/13 and an economy rate of 3.26. In T20Is, she played 13 matches, securing eight wickets with an economy rate of 5.78.
Despite her limited international exposure, Shohely’s career has taken a dramatic turn that will now overshadow her achievements on the field. Born in Bangladesh, she began her cricket journey with aspirations of making a name for herself in the sport.
However, after her last appearance for Bangladesh in October 2022, her cricketing journey seemed to fade into the background until her involvement in corruption charges brought her back into the spotlight.
The Corruption Charges
The controversy surrounding Shohely Akhter began during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. Despite not being part of the Bangladesh playing squad, she made an approach to a fellow Bangladesh player before their match against Australia on February 14, 2023.
The approach was made via Facebook Messenger, where she offered the player 2 million Bangladeshi Taka (approximately USD 16,400 to USD 18,000) to get out hit wicket during the match. She assured the player that additional money could be provided if needed and promised secrecy by urging the player to delete their messages.
However, the player, identified as ‘Player A,’ rejected the offer and immediately reported the incident to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). The player provided voice notes and messages as evidence, which were crucial in the investigation despite Shohely deleting the messages on her end.
ICC’s Action
Shohely Akhter admitted to breaching five provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, specifically Articles 2.1.1, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.4.4, and 2.4.7. These provisions cover attempting to fix matches, engaging in corrupt conduct by making improper approaches to fellow players, and failing to report corrupt activities to the ACU.
As a result, the ICC handed down a five-year ban from all cricket, effective from February 10, 2025. This historic ban marks the first time a female cricketer has been penalized for corruption by the ICC, reinforcing the organization’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in the sport.
Impact and Legacy
Shohely Akhter’s ban serves as a significant moment in cricket’s fight against corruption, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activities within the game. Her case highlights the need for strict enforcement of anti-corruption measures, ensuring the integrity of women’s cricket and the sport as a whole.
Despite her limited international career, Shohely Akhter’s legacy will now be defined by this controversial episode, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices in sports.
