The T20 World Cup 2024 has reached the Super 8 stage after the conclusion of the group stage matches. The group stage, which saw 20 cricketing nations take the field for the first time in the T20 World Cup history, also hogged the limelight for some unknown reasons. In one of such instances, the Uganda cricket team, who made their debut in the T20 World Cup 2024 along with co-hosts USA and Canada, caught eyeballs for some wrong reasons.
According to several media reports doing rounds, a former Kenya pacer approached one of the players of the Uganda team. As reported by PTI, the incident took place during the league stage matches in Guyana where the former Kenya pacer tried to contact a Uganda team member multiple times from various mobile numbers. The ICC Anti-Corruption, however, have acted promptly and has sent a circular to all the Associate Nations warning them of possible match fixing approach.
“It is not a surprise that this person targeted a player from the Ugandan national team. Associate nations, as compared to the big team, are soft targets for corruption but in this case, the player who was approached did the needful by informing the ICC at the earliest,” a source told PTI. It is to be noted that the player involved in such an incident, should report the ICC and if they fail to do so, they could be booked under corruption charges and even face a potential life ban.
Another source informed PTI, “players are approached all the time, more so from smaller nations. In bigger events like the T20 World Cup, there is more scrutiny and if approach is conveyed to the ICC ACU, then due protocol is followed, and proper investigation is conducted.”
This is not the first time a player has been approached by a bookie. Several big names, including the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Amir and several other have faced charges from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over corrupt actions.
Speaking of Uganda’s campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024, the Brain Masaba-led side finished at third place in the Group C standings, missing their Super 8 place. Uganda, who were placed alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, co-hosts West Indies and Papua New Guinea, sealed only one win from their four matches, which came against Papua New Guinea.