The entire Nepalese cricket circle is in shock as the preliminary conclusion of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police confirms that there has been spot-fixing in the Nepal T20 League.
The inaugural edition of the Nepal T20 League conducted by The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is blemished by the incident of spot-fixing, match-fixing, and many critics.
Three Nepali and four foreign players have reportedly been implicated in spot-fixing, according to the preliminary inquiry. The CIB has taken statements from the suspected players. Based on a CIB source, there is proof that Seven3Sports, the Nepal T20 League’s commercial and strategic partner, was also engaged in spot-fixing.
The newly appointed Home Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, instructed the CIB to investigate the case on January 3. After all the controversies, the ICC representative team also came to Nepal. They met with the CIB team and assisted them in the investigation, as per the source.
Co-founder of Seven3Sports, Jatin Ahluwalia, left Nepal on January 2 without any information out of fear of being caught up in all of this. CAN then stated that they would begin the process of cancelling the agreement with the company.
According to a source, the report implies that the first few games of the tournaments were fixed, but as the news of fixing spread, the players stopped engaging in spot-fixing. One of the tournament’s commentators, Sachin Timalsina, pull out from his role after suspecting the fixing in the league.
The tournament was controversial from the start after CAN signed an eight-year contract with seven3sports without any tender. Later, the tournament was pushed further several times, citing different reasons. Furthermore, CAN faced huge criticism after roping in a surrogate site of the betting company as the title sponsor.
In the middle of the tournament, players and officials also complained that players were yet to receive their salaries. On the first match of January fifth, players refused to take the field, citing that they were yet to receive their salaries.
England’s Alex Blake, who is representing Kathmandu Knights, also stated they were yet to receive anything and are unknown about the team owner. Many foreign players also left Nepal, suspecting fixing.
