Sports Desk: Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has made a big disclosure related to spot-fixing on Monday. He was approached by bookies in India to indulge in fixing, he said. Taylor has claimed that the International Cricket Council will now ban him for several years.
Indian businessman contacted
Explaining the whole situation, Taylor said, “I have been carrying a burden for more than 2 years. In late October 2019, I was requested by an Indian businessman to sponsor a T20 event in Zimbabwe and Come to India to discuss a possible launch. I was advised that I would be paid $15,000 to travel.”
To my family, friends and supporters. Here is my full statement. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/sVCckD4PMV
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) January 24, 2022
The payment was not received for 6 months
Taylor continued by saying, “I can’t deny I was a little careful. But the timing was such that we were not paid by Zimbabwe Cricket for 6 months. It was doubtful whether Zimbabwe would continue to play in the international arena. Will be able to keep.”
The former Zimbabwe captain continued, “So I traveled. Discussions ensued, as he said, and on our last night at the hotel, the businessman and his colleagues took me for a celebration. We had had a drink and for the evening. At the time he openly offered me cocaine, which he himself was engaged in, and I foolishly consumed it.”
Information is given to ICC
Taylor added, “I was recorded taking cocaine. After that, I was being blackmailed for being involved in spot-fixing.” Taylor says that he did not do any match-fixing and after some time he reported the matter to the ICC.
The pressure created for match-fixing
Taylor continued, “The next morning, the same people barged into my hotel room and showed me a video of the previous night doing cocaine. They told me that if I didn’t spot-fix for them in international matches, then the video will be released to the public. I was surrounded. In my hotel room with 6 people, I was fearing for my own safety. I voluntarily went into a situation that took my life forever Changed.”
Taylor continued by saying, “When I returned home, that stress seriously affected my mental and physical health. The businessman wanted me to do spot-fixing in exchange for his investment. I couldn’t do that.” And I don’t even do it. It took me 4 months to report the crime and negotiate with the ICC.”
I have never been involved in match-fixing
Taylor said, “I want to put on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. My love for the beautiful game of cricket is ever greater and will surpass any threat that may occur.” As a result of contacting the ICC, I participated in numerous interviews and events and was as honest and transparent as possible during their investigations.”
