ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has suspended a popular cricket ground, Ajman Oval in Ajman, UAE from immediate effect after a non-sanctioned T20 League, All Stars Ajman League, was called off on its 2nd day as local authorities denied the organisers access to the facility following ACU’s investigation in a group match of the event, which showed suspected activities in a video, which went viral on social media platforms.
Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Anti-Corruption, released an official statement on ICC website which stated “There is currently an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation underway in relation to the Ajman All Stars League held recently in Ajman, UAE. The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit works to uphold integrity in Cricket and in keeping with that role we are talking to players and officials and will not make any further comment at this time.”
Speaking to Gulf News, Shaji Ul Mulk, the secretary of Ajman Cricket Council, said “The current tournament called All Star T20 being telecast live in India and other countries on Neo Sports and involving international cricketers like Salman Butt and Hassan Raza had been declared disapproved as it is without any approval.”
“Hereafter, any tournament conducted at the Ajman Oval ground would be disapproved and cricketers playing in them would be at a risk of being penalised.” Mulk added. For full statement, click here.
The tournament was shown Live on Neo Sports for the Indian territory and had a player-cum-agent involved, who was also part of the ill-fated Afro T20 league in Uganda, which got cancelled due to player approval and payment issues.
