Match-Fixing In Cricket: A Review Of Shakib Al Hasan’s Sanction For Failing To Report Corrupt Approaches

Shakib Al Hasan^[1] is arguably one of Bangladesh’s greatest international cricketers, having amassed over 11,000 runs and taken nearly 570 wickets in international games. However, on 29 October 2019, he admitted to three separate breaches of the International Cricket Council’s (“ICC”) Anti-Corruption Code for Participants^[2] (the “Code”) and was banned from the game for two years^[3].

Al Hasan’s case is a useful reminder that international cricketers could be in breach of the Code even if they do not act upon a request to engage in corrupt conduct or receive a benefit.

This article aims to break down the facts of Al Hasan’s case, the relevant provisions of the Code, and the steps taken by the ICC to determine the appropriate sanction for Al Hasan. A copy of the ICC’s reasoned decision can be found here^[4].

It is worth noting that the 2018 version of the Code, applicable at the time of Al Hasan’s case, has recently been amended (see amended version here^[5]). However, none of the amendments relate to the provisions of the Code that are relevant to this article.