Ihsanullah Janat Handed Five-Year Ban By ACB For Match-Fixing Charges

Ihsanullah Janat has been banned from all forms of cricket for five years due to breaches of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Codes. The ACB issued an official statement on Wednesday, August 7, detailing the sanctions imposed on Janat following his involvement in corrupt activities during the second edition of the Kabul Premier League (KPL). Janat, a 26-year-old cricketer, was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. This specific article addresses issues related to the improper influence on or attempts to manipulate the outcome, progression, conduct, or any other aspect of a cricket match. The severity of his actions has led to a comprehensive investigation, which concluded that his conduct was in violation of the established anti-corruption protocols.

The investigation uncovered that Janat had engaged in activities aimed at compromising the integrity of the matches he was involved in. Faced with these charges, Janat has admitted his guilt and confessed to participating in corrupt practices. The decision to impose a five-year ban reflects the seriousness of the violation and aims to serve as a deterrent to others who might contemplate similar breaches of cricketing ethics.

This ban signifies a major setback for Janat’s career, restricting his participation in all forms of cricket, including domestic and international competitions, and underscores the commitment of both the ACB and ICC to uphold the integrity of the sport.

"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," ACB said in their statement.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has disclosed that three additional players are currently under investigation for suspected involvement in match-fixing. The outcome of these investigations will determine whether these players face similar sanctions as Ihsanullah Janat, whose five-year ban from all cricketing activities has been announced. The ban on Janat is effective immediately and will last for five years, reflecting the severity of his breach of the ACB and ICC Anti-Corruption Codes.

Ihsanullah Janat, who made his first-class debut for Afghanistan against the Netherlands in the ICC Intercontinental Cup on July 29, 2016, has had a varied international career. He has played three Test matches, 16 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and one Twenty20 International (T20I). Over his career, Janat has accumulated 110 runs in Test matches, 307 runs in ODIs, and 20 runs in T20Is. His debut in international cricket came in February 2017 with an ODI against Zimbabwe, while his Test debut was in March 2019 against Ireland. His only T20I appearance was against Zimbabwe in June 2022, which was also his last appearance on the international stage.

In first-class cricket, Janat has demonstrated impressive performance, scoring 1,568 runs in 19 matches at an average of 56. The timing of his five-year ban is particularly significant, as it coincides with a pivotal moment in his cricketing career. This development not only impacts Janat but also underscores the ACB’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport.