Afghanistan batter Ihsanullah Janat banned for 5 years for match-fixing

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has banned top-order batter Ihsanullah Janat from all forms of cricketing activities for five years effective immediately. Janat was found guilty and accepted charges of breaches of ACB and ICC Anti-Corruption codes on match-fixing during the second edition of the Kabul Premier League (KPL).

Janat, 26, had played three Tests, 16 ODIs, and a T20I for Afghanistan, making his debut as early as 2017. A talented stroke-maker, who was even considered a prodigy growing up, many considered Janat was handed a debut too early for his age, making the start of his journey difficult.

"Janat was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which involves improper influence or efforts to fix the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a match," the ACB said in a statement.

"In light of this violation, he has been handed a five-year ban from all cricket-related activities. Janat has admitted to the charges and confessed to his involvement in corrupt activities," the statement added.

It's a massive blow to not only Janat but Afghanistan cricket. The ACB could also do without the reliability issues it'll raise upon the KPL, which it's trying quite hard to promote and grow.

ACB investigating other players for corruption

The ACB also said it was investigating three other players for match-fixing after finding Ihsanullah Janat guilty.

"The ACB Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has revealed that three other players are also under suspicion for involvement in match-fixing, and investigations are underway. Decisions regarding their involvement will be made upon confirmation of their guilt," the statement added.

Afghanistan cricket, although doing well on the men's field, is struggling to keep off-field issues away. Questions have continued to flare on the ban of women's cricket in the country since the Taliban takeover in May 2021.