ICC slaps Afghanistan's top-order batter with five-year ban for 'involvement in corrupt activities'

Afghanistan's top-order batter Ihsanullah Janat has been banned from all forms of cricket for five years by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Janat breached the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and ICC’s anti-corruption code in the Kabul Premier League 2024. 
 

"Janat was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which involves improper influence or efforts to fix the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a match," the ACB said in a statement. 
 

"In light of this violation, he has been handed a five-year ban from all cricket-related activities. Janat has admitted to the charges and confessed to his involvement in corrupt activities."
 

The statement also said that ACB's anti-corruption unit three other players are under suspicion as well. The ACU is investigating them over match-fixing charges.

“Decisions regarding their involvement will be made upon confirmation of their guilt,” the statement added.
 

Ihsanullah’s ban is effective immediately. His last appearance in competitive cricket was in May 2024. He played for Afghanistan A against Sri Lanka A.

 

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His last international appearance was in a T20I match against Zimbabwe when she made her debut in the format. 

 

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He has played three Tests, 16 ODIs and one T20I. The 26-year-old has scored 110 runs from six Test innings including a fifty. In his only T20I appearance, he scored 20 runs. In ODIs, he had a longer run and scored 307 runs from 16 innings at an average of 21.92 including three half-centuries.
 

Brother of first Afghanistan men’s cricket team captain

Ihsanullah is the brother of former Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal. Mangal was the first captain of Afghanistan at the international stage. He has led Afghanistan in 22 ODIs and 13 T20Is.
 

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