Former Zimbabwe cricket captain banned for failing to report corrupt approach

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three-and-a-half years by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit for failing to report an approach from alleged corruptors without delay.

In a media release on Friday, the ICC said Taylor has accepted the ban, which starts from January 28, and separately one charge of breaching the doping code.

In a statement on Twitter, Taylor had revealed that he had been filmed using cocaine during a meeting in India with alleged businessmen, who then used that video to allegedly blackmail him into an agreement to spot-fix. Taylor, who will turn 36 next week, has since admitted himself into a rehabilitation clinic.

Taylor told the Daily Mail that he had “beaten a few” drugs tests in the past few years before eventually failing one in his final international match in September 2021.

“I might have beaten a few tests in the past two-and-a-half years, but it got me when I was heading for destruction,” Taylor said.

The ICC release said Taylor breached the ACU code on four counts, including failing to disclose not just the approach but also receiving gifts and cash, including hospitality, from the alleged corruptors.

One charge read: “Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe’s then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh.”

Taylor was also charged with “obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence or corrupt conduct,” under the ACU code.

The ICC said Taylor “chose to admit the charges” and “agreed” the sanction instead of facing an anti-corruption tribunal hearing.

Doping charge

The ICC pointed out that the anti-doping charge, independent of the anti-corruption charges, “resulted” after Taylor had done the in-competition test on September 8, 2021 during a match between Ireland and Zimbabwe.

Taylor tested positive for a stimulant Benzoylecognine, which the ICC said is a “cocaine metabolite” and is specified as a “substance of abuse” under the anti-doping code.

“This one-month suspension will run concurrently with the suspension of three-and-a-half years under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code,” the ICC said. “Mr Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 July 2025.” (ESPNcricinfo)