ICC launches corruption investigation after comical T20 cricket match in UAE

  • 31/01/2018

Both the ICC and the Emirates Cricket Board are attempting to distance themselves from a rogue Twenty20 tournament that featured some of the most egregious examples of supposed match-fixing the sport may have ever seen.

The match between the Dubai Stars and the Sharjah Warriors at the Ajman All Stars league in the UAE included several comical moments, which could only be explained by the influence of something nefarious.

Chasing the straightforward target of 136, the footage shows Dubai Stars players clearly giving away their wickets, via inexplicable running and aimless advances down the pitch, on their way to being dismissed for a paltry 46.

The game caused a storm on social media, with several former players, including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan, voicing their outrage at what was unfolding.

The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit has stepped in to conduct a detailed investigation, while local authorities were apparently forced to interject and shutdown the tournament.

"There is currently an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation underway in relation to the Ajman All Stars League, held recently in Ajman, UAE," the ICC said in a statement.

"The ICC ACU works to uphold integrity in cricket and in keeping with that role, we are talking to players and officials, and will not make any further comment at this time."

Newshub.