ACB hands Noor Mohammad Lalai five-year ban for spot-fixing

Noor Mohammad “Lalai” has been issued with a five-year ban by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) after the coach accepted four charges relating to the breaching of the ACB Anti-Corruption Code.

It was reported that Noor Mohammad, who serves as the Afghanistan domestic assistant coach, approached a national team player to spot-fix ‘a few games’ during the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL 2019). As a result, he will be banned from all forms of cricket. 

ACB’s Senior Anti-Corruption manager, Sayed Anwar Shah Quraishi stated: “This is a very disappointing and serious offence where a domestic level junior coach is involved in the corruption of a high-profile domestic game in SCL 2019.

“The coach, as an agent, tried to get one of the National team Players to engage in corruption of spot fixing of a few matches in SCL 2019. Luckily, he failed to do so as he was reported.

“I would like to place on record my grateful appreciation and thanks to national Player Mr X who displayed true bravery and professionalism from the moment he reported this approach. He recognised it for what it was, rejected it and reported it. He then supported our investigation and subsequent tribunal.”

Noor Mohammad was found guilty of the following four offences under the Code:

  • Breach of Article 2.1.1 – Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to any agreement or effort to fix.

  • Breach of Article 2.1.4 – Attempting to solicit, induce, entice, persuade, encourage or intentionally facilitate a Participant to breach Article 2.1.

  • Breach of Article 2.3.3 – directly soliciting, inducing, enticing or encouraging a participant to breach the Code.

  • Breach of Article 2.4.4 – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by a Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under ACB Anti-Corruption Code.
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