Bangladesh’s Soheli Akter Banned for Match-Fixing
Bangladeshi cricketer Soheli Akter has been banned by the ICC for match-fixing. In an official statement released today, the governing body of world cricket announced that she has been suspended from all forms of cricket for five years. Soheli has accepted both the charges and the punishment against her.
The ICC found Soheli guilty of violating five anti-corruption codes, including making agreements with external parties to influence match outcomes, deliberately underperforming in international matches, and attempting to manipulate match proceedings.
She also admitted to offenses such as accepting, soliciting, or offering benefits related to fixing, directly or indirectly influencing match results, and attempting to induce or entice players into corrupt activities. Additionally, she failed to report a corrupt approach to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and was accused of delaying investigations and attempting to tamper with evidence.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is aware of Soheli’s suspension. Commenting on the matter, BCB director and head of women’s cricket, Nazmul Abedin, told Prothom Alo, “Since she has accepted the punishment, it will now be enforced as per ICC regulations.”
Soheli last played for Bangladesh in the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup. After an eight-year gap, she returned to the national team shortly before the tournament. Having made her international debut in 2013, she represented Bangladesh in two ODIs and 13 T20Is.
The ICC confirmed that her five-year ban officially commenced on February 10, 2025.
