bcb updatesBangladesh Cricket NewsBangladesh CricketersBCB Announcementscricket corruption updatesCricket InjuriesCricket NewsDhaka Premier LeagueInjury UpdatesInternational CricketInternational MatchesPlayer Injuries
BCB ACU Recommends Five-Year Ban for Sabbir Over Match-Fixing Allegations
Bangladesh Cricket Board’s ACU Moves Against Player Indiscipline
The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Unit (BCB ACU) has recommended a minimum five-year ban on batter Minhazul Abedin Sabbir, following allegations of match-fixing during the last edition of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), the country’s top-tier List A cricket competition.
The recommendation stems from an official investigation into Shinepukur Cricket Club’s match against Gulshan Cricket, where two highly suspicious dismissals sparked controversy and raised red flags over potential fixing.
👉 Related Reading: Bangladesh Cricket Board news and updates
Suspicious Dismissals Raise Alarm in DPL
The Rahim Ahmed Incident
During the 36th over of the Shinepukur vs Gulshan clash, Shinepukur opener Rahim Ahmed was stumped in an oddly careless manner. He stepped far outside his crease against left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman without attempting a shot, allowing wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam Ankon to dismiss him with ease.
Sabbir’s Controversial Stumping
The even more startling moment came in the 44th over when Sabbir himself became the focus of suspicion. After taking his guard, he crouched inside his crease and leaned forward without offering a shot, practically handing the wicketkeeper another uncontested stumping. This act immediately triggered suspicion and led investigators to probe deeper.
ACU Findings: Breach of Anti-Corruption Code
Documents from the ACU reveal that Sabbir violated multiple clauses of the BCB Anti-Corruption Code. Investigators found:
-
He engaged with suspected bookmakers.
-
He failed to report corrupt approaches made to him, a clear breach of the Code.
-
Phone records showed regular contact with an overseas number, believed to be linked with international betting syndicates.
The case has been formally referred to the BCB Anti-Corruption Tribunal under Article 5 of the Code, which deals with serious breaches of integrity in cricket.
Officials stressed that this case underlined the need for tighter monitoring, drawing parallels to Mohammad Ashraful’s 2014 suspension, in which the former Bangladesh captain was banned for eight years due to match-fixing.
Recommendation: Five-Year Minimum Ban
In its report, the ACU recommended a ban of at least five years, with scope for an eight-to-ten-year penalty depending on tribunal proceedings.
The report noted:
“Given the evidence, we are recommending at least a five-year ban from all cricket, with the possibility of eight to ten years or more. This reflects the severity of the offence and acts as a deterrent for others.”
If upheld, Sabbir would also be forced to undergo rehabilitation programmes should he attempt a return to cricket. These may include awareness sessions for younger cricketers on the dangers of corruption, a practice already seen in other ICC member nations.
Strengthening Anti-Corruption Measures in Bangladesh Cricket
This case has ignited fresh urgency within the BCB to tighten safeguards across domestic competitions. Recommendations include:
-
Stricter communication restrictions in dressing rooms.
-
Deployment of anti-corruption officers at high-profile matches.
-
Real-time betting market monitoring to detect unusual patterns.
While deeply damaging for Bangladesh cricket’s image, officials believe the investigation has reinforced the Board’s determination to root out corruption.
The ACU emphasized:
“This case is a wake-up call and will serve as a framework for stronger anti-corruption efforts in Bangladesh cricket.”
For a broader context on how cricket’s governing body deals with corruption, see this official ICC Anti-Corruption Code resource.
