T10 League 2018 comes under corruption scanner

While the T10 League gained popularity in 2018 during its second edition as a new format in the game of cricket, reports of corruption have somewhat tainted its image. After allegations of inappropriate activities had surfaced during the inaugural edition last year, the second edition which concluded recently has also come under the scanner after reports of suspicious approach came out.

It has been learnt that a member of the Bengal Tigers franchise was approached during the second week of the tournament which was played in Sharjah between November 21 and December 2. The latest edition, which was won by Northern Warriors, featured eight teams instead of six as was in the first.

“A person claiming to be a potential sponsor approached the support staff. He soon began to seek direct contact with players with a possible agenda of seeking information. The matter was immediately reported to the Anti-corruption unit who took care of the case,” India Today quoted a source as saying.

Led by Sam Billings and with players like Sunil Narine and Zaheer Khan in their ranks, the Tigers finished third in the tournament this year defeating Maratha Arabians by 6 wickets. The T10 League was officially approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its Anti-Corruption Unit is involved in monitoring the league’s conduct.

Another suspicious incident in the tournament also came under the scanner and it was a different franchise involved on that occasion. “It first appeared as a possible honey trap but after investigations turned out to be a false alarm,” the source added.

The league’s chairman Shaji ul Mulk said the entire ICC ACU has been outsourced and with each team, there is an ICC Anti-Corruption integrity officer. Speaking to India Today, he said: “We strive to make this league where corruption can be checked at every step.”

Spread of short format cricket encouraging corruption

General manager of the ICC’s ACU Alex Marshall said last year that the spread of the short-format leagues around the world has encouraged corruption.

The league organisers believe that the competition, which features a number of star players – both from past and present – will continue its journey uninterrupted.

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