DUBAI, UAE – T Ten Global Sports has denied reports of an ongoing investigation into suspicious activities during the 2024 Zim Afro T10 League, calling the allegations “unfounded and malicious.”
The response comes amid claims of underhand dealings in a match between the Durban Wolves and the Harare Bolts, where a series of questionable overs raised concerns about possible match-fixing.
“There is no known formal investigation in progress,” Omar Khan, Media Manager and spokesperson for T Ten Global Sports, said. “The newspaper cast aspersions without any proof and based the story merely on assumptions and speculation.”
Khan’s remarks follow earlier reports suggesting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) had launched an investigation into suspicious activities during the Zim Afro T10 League.
According to these reports, several bowlers from the match in question, including UAE’s Kashif Dawood and Afghanistan’s Dawlat Zadran, bowled a high number of wides and no-balls, raising suspicions of deliberate wrongdoing. Pakistani Test spinner Yasir Shah also reportedly faced scrutiny for conceding 30 runs in a single over.
Adding to the controversy, one team owner is said to have left Zimbabwe unexpectedly before meeting with officials, and a player’s mobile phone was reportedly confiscated by the ICC ACU as part of their investigation.
A Pakistani journalist, Saleem Khaliq, also claimed that some Pakistani players and officials were questioned by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit as they launched investigations into the alleged suspicious activities at the 2024 Zim Afro T10 League.
Despite the allegations, T Ten Global Sports and Zimbabwe Cricket have both said the allegations are false. They argue that such reports not only tarnish the reputation of the Zim Afro T10 League but also undermine the integrity of the sport.
“We outsource all anti-corruption monitoring to the ICC ACU and work closely with them to maintain the highest standards of integrity,” Khan said.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of wrongdoing and remain committed to ensuring the game stays clean.”
The 2024 edition of the Zim Afro T10 League, held from September 21 to 29 in Harare, saw the Joburg Bangla Tigers emerge as champions. The ICC has not commented publicly on whether its ACU is conducting an active investigation into the alleged activities.