Harare: Zimbabwe Batsman Brendan Taylor faced a ban from the International Cricket Board (ICC) after admitting that he received a $ 15,000 “deposit” to fix the place, even though he said he was squeezed and had never experienced arrangements.
Taylor said he was forced to receive money from an Indian businessman in October 2019 and it took four months to report the incident to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit because he was afraid of his safety.
Taylor traveled to India to discuss the launch of the new T20 competition in Zimbabwe with an appointment of $ 15,000 as a payment.
“We had drinks and during that night, they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves were involved.
I foolishly took bait,” Taylor said in a statement released through Twitter on Monday.
“The next morning, the same people invaded to my hotel room and showed me the video for me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not fix international matches for them, the video would be released to the public.” Taylor said he was given $ 15,000 as a deposit, and promised to receive $ 20,000 again when the job was finished.
“I want to put on a note that I have never been involved in any form of match improvement.
I might be a lot of things, but I’m not a cheat,” he said.
“What is said, the ICC made a decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricket career.
I humbly accepted this decision.” Taylor added he would check into rehabilitation facilities on Tuesday to treat substance abuse.
Cricket ICC and Zimbabwe have not responded to a comment request.
Taylor is 35 years old, who plays for Zimbabwe in 34 tests, 205 one day and 45 T20s, retirement from international cricket in September.
Former Zimbabwe All-Rounder and Heath Streak coach were banned by ICC for eight years ago for his role in expressing insiders’ information that could be used for betting purposes.