ICC Anti-Corruption Unit has identified the country that homes most bookies

In recent times, there has been an alarming increase in the number of reports about bookies approaching cricketers in various competitions around the world. On most occasions, these reports have surfaced in the T20 leagues. Also, there have been several cases when international cricket has become a victim of this menace. Needless to concede, the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit is actively working on eradicating this unwanted component from the sport.

As per the recent reports, the ICC’s ACU has made some bold remarks on the issue. They have remarked that most of the bookies in international cricket are from India. A few days ago, former cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya became the first big name to be charged for violating the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code.

The former Sri Lankan opener was not charged with fixing but for not cooperating with the investigations. The investigations began in the background of the ongoing bilateral assignment between England and Sri Lanka.

“In Sri Lanka, it was both local and Indian corruptors. In most other parts of the world it is mostly corrupt Indian bookies,” CC’s General Manager ACU, Marshall, told ESPNCricinfo.

12-20 Active corruptors in international cricket at the moment

These reports might sound amusing but are indeed quite alarming for the game. Recently, former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria had also admitted having taken a bribe from an Indian bookie Anu Bhatt. Shedding more light on the issue, the ICC ACU noted that there are currently about 12-20 active corruptors in the world cricket.

Marshall remarked that the players were shown the pictures of various bookies and asked if they were approached by any of them. They have also been given the details of these corruptors and have been advised to report any suspicious approach made to them.

“During the briefing (to England and Sri Lanka players), we showed names and pictures of active corruptors in cricket who were trying to get at players both in Sri Lanka and at tournaments elsewhere in the world. So we have openly shared the current information of active corruptors, we have shown their pictures, given their names and details. This way we felt the players are better informed. The exercise has already lead to new information coming forward from the teams,” Marshall revealed.

“We showed them six. There are probably 12-20 very active corruptors that we are currently monitoring. The pictures shown were all men, but there are couple of women, too, involved in the whole picture,” he further added.

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