Brendan Taylor Alleges ‘Indian Businessman’ Approached Him For Spot-Fixing In International Cricket

Brendan Taylor, former Zimabwe skipper, said he was invited to India by the 'businessman' to discuss sponsorship and launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe.

Aditya Kumar

Updated on: 25 January 2022 3:43 pm

Brendan Taylor called time on his international cricket career in 2021.

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has made a big revelation on social media on Monday. The batter, who retired from international cricket in September last year, has revealed that two years back he was approached by an Indian businessman who had asked him for spot-fixing in international matches. (More Cricket News)

Narrating the whole incident on Twitter, Brendan said that he was invited to India to “discuss sponsorship and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe” by the Indian businessman and alleged that he was offered a sum of USD $ 15000 for making the journey.

The former Zimbabwe skipper further added that he took the tour. He said that he was offered cocaine by the people who hosted him in India, including the businessman, and was threatened with the video of it later. As a result, Brendan said he had to accept the money they gave him for spot-fixing in international matches.

However, Brendan added that he didn't do spot-fixing and rather approached to the ICC and revealed the incident after four months. According to him, the apex cricket governing body has handed him a multi-year ban.

Here is the tweet:

To my family, friends and supporters. Here is my full statement. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/sVCckD4PMV
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) January 24, 2022

“I would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. I may be many things but I am not a cheat. My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way,” the former Zimbabwe captain said in his defence.

Brendan added that he has joined a rehabilitation centre “ to get clean” and to get his “life back on track”. “For many weeks I will be away and trying to get better,” he said.

Meanwhile, BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) chief, Shabbir Khandwawala, focused at positive aspect of the story, stating that players now have started to report to ACU.

“In India, we have sessions where the ACU informs and educates players on how bookies will try to lure them, and make them understand each and every point. As India is cricket’s hub, we are aware of the challenges going ahead. In the past few years, the BCCI has managed to register complaints across India and that has also helped us,” Khandwawala added as quoted by The Indian Express.