Seven charged with match fixing in Bangladesh: ICC

Former Bangladesh captain confesses, leading to match-fixing charges in Bangladesh T20 league.

DHAKA: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Tuesday seven people have been charged over matching-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League and another two were charged for failing to report corruption in the game.

The alleged offences were by those connected to the Dhaka Gladiators franchise of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) during the 2013 season of the Twenty20 tournament.

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful made a tearful confession on national television in June to fixing after he was quizzed by ICC anti-corruption officials who have investigated the case.

A joint statement from the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board did not name other players involved but said they had 14 days to enter a plea to the charges.

"Nine individuals have been charged with various offences that are alleged to have been committed... during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League," said the statement.

Ashraful, who captained Bangladesh between 2007 and 2009, was allegedly involved in fixing a match between the Dhaka Gladiators and the Chittagong Kings teams during this year's second edition of the BPL.

Local media have reported that the batsman was paid about one million taka ($12,800) to lose the match on February 2.

The ICC's anti-corruption officials were also reported to be probing allegations of fixing during some international matches involving Ashraful. The ICC made no mention on Tuesday of problems with international fixtures.

"The evidence uncovered is a grave reminder of the need for the sport to remain vigilant against the continuing threat of corruption, and for players and support personnel to take personal responsibility for protecting the integrity of the game," ICC chief executive David Richardson said in the statement.