Afghanistan cricketer gets five-year ban for corruption, three more under investigation

Ihsanullah Janat, a top-order batter for Afghanistan, has been banned from all cricket activities for five years due to corruption, as announced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Wednesday.

The ban is effective immediately, following breaches of both the ACB's and ICC's anti-corruption codes during the Kabul Premier League's second edition earlier this year.

The ACB stated that Janat was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which pertains to improper influence or efforts to manipulate the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a match.

As a result of this violation, Janat 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 ACB's anti-corruption unit is also investigating three other players for potential involvement in corruption, with decisions pending upon confirmation of their guilt.

Ihsanullah, 26, played for Shamshad Eagles in the Kabul Premier League 2024, where he scored 72 runs in four innings, averaging 18 with a strike rate of 150. His team finished last in the six-team league, with only one win from five games.

Ihsanullah has represented Afghanistan in 20 matches across all three formats.