Five cricketers who were banned due to corrupt practices
What's the story
There have been numerous instances when corruption has crept into cricket, and the same has been the case with a number of cricketers being involved as well. With Bangladesh Test and T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan being banned for failure to report corruption approach, in the same light, we take a look at some five cricketers who were banned for the same.
Lou Vincent
The only Kiwi with a corrupt mindset
In an unusual start, New Zealand's Lou Vincent remains the only cricketer from the nation to be involved in corruption charges. He was initially banned for three years for failing to report an approach by a bookie during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). However, he was later involved in fixing during a domestic game in England and was handed a life ban.
Danish Kaneria
The only Pakistani with an active life ban
Danish Kaneria was one of the most promising spinners in Pakistan cricket. While everything was going smooth, he was charged for match irregularities with Essex in 2010, before being cleared. He was found guilty by the ECB disciplinary panel and was handed life ban, while the PCB stood by it. It was in October 2018, when Kaneria finally admitted to his 2009 spot-fixing offense.
Hansie Cronje
A greedy South African who crossed the line
South Africans, too, have a history of being notoriously corrupt as former skipper Hansie Cronje was charged for the same. It was in 2000 when he admitted that he had willingly accepted bribes from bookmakers to provide inside information regarding the team and also fixed matches. Handed a life ban, he suffered an unfortunate fate as he perished in a plane crash in 2002.
Salman Butt
Another Pakistani who served jail term for his sins
Former Pakistani cricketer Salman Butt made headlines for orchestrating to bowl no-balls against England in 2010. Following an investigation, he was found guilty, along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and was banned for 10 years. He was also jailed for 2.5 years by Southwark Crown Court, England, on account of 'conspiracy to cheat at gambling and to accept corrupt payments'.
Herschelle Gibbs
A crazy South African who double-crossed on a corrupt deal
Many remember Herschelle Gibbs for hitting six sixes in an over during the 2007 ICC World Cup. However, he admitted to having been involved with Cronje during the 2000 match-fixing scandal in India. Interestingly, despite initially agreeing to score below 20, he double-crossed and scored a 53-ball 74. As a result, he was banned for just six months.