Muristek
New Delhi, January 24
Former Zimbabwe cricket team captain Brendan Taylor has revealed that an Indian businessman gave him $15,000 in 2019 as a 'deposit' to spot-fix matches after blackmailing him into the deal.
Taylor, who retired from international cricket in September last year, said the International Cricket Council (ICC) was about to impose a ban on him because he had delayed reporting the incident.
In a statement on social media, Taylor said he met the businessman, whom he did not name, in India in October 2019 after being approached to discuss "sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition" in Zimbabwe.
"I was handed the $15,000 but was told this was now a 'deposit' for spot-fixing and that an additional $20,000 would be paid once the 'job' was complete," he said. He said he didn't approach the ICC because he was being blackmailed by the businessman and his associates, who had made a video of him using cocaine.
"We had drinks and during the course of the evening, they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and I foolishly took the bait," Taylor said, adding that the next morning he was threatened that the video would be released unless he indulged in spot-fixing.
Taylor said he approached the ICC four months after the incident. "I approached the ICC on my own terms and I hoped that if I explained my predicament, my genuine fear for our safety and well-being, they would understand the delay. Unfortunately, they did not..."
Taylor also said he would be "checking into a rehabilitation centre" on January 25 to deal with his substance abuse problem.
The ICC is yet to make a formal statement on the issue. — TNS
Approached ICC four months after incident
Brendan Taylor captained Zimbabwe in 2011-2021 He last played for the national team in July last yearThreatened to make cocaine video public
They offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and I foolishly took the bait. Next morning, I was threatened the video (of drug consumption) will be released unless I indulged in spot-fixing. Brendan Taylor