John Hastings questioned by anti-corruption unit over 18-ball over in WCL 2025 against Pakistan

Former Australian fast bowler John Hastings has revealed that he was questioned by the anti-corruption unit after bowling a bizarre 18-ball over during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match against Pakistan Champions.

The incident took place in a league-stage fixture where Australia Champions, batting first, were bowled out for just 74 runs in 11.5 overs, thanks to Saeed Ajmal’s six-wicket haul.

Chasing 75, Pakistan Champions eased to victory without losing a wicket, reaching the target with 73 balls to spare. Hastings’s unusual over added to Australia’s woes — he sent down 12 wides and one no-ball, conceding 20 runs from just five legal deliveries. At one point, he bowled five consecutive wides twice in the same over.

Speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, Hastings revealed that officials approached him the next day to discuss the performance.

"The anti-corruption guys came up to me and said, 'Gee, you put us through a bit of hell last night.' He said we had to have a look at it. You missed the pitch on one of your balls. I said, 'Do you think I'll be doing any sort of match-fixing or anything like that?’" Hastings recalled.

"He said, ‘No, but we don't know where you've been or what you've been doing for the last seven years.’ I said, ‘I'm not corrupt,’" he added. 

Hastings admitted that the over was both embarrassing and difficult to explain.

"The Pakistan game, it's hard to explain. I had so many text messages from all the cricket fraternity, but I also deleted social media for three days straightaway when I came off the field after the Pakistan game. I didn't want to deal with it. It's not funny, but it's one of those you can't explain when you're actually bowling. It was hard to take, it was embarrassing, and it was horrendous," he said.

The former pacer added that he has since returned to social media.

"I'm back on social media. So, the 1.5 million people who messaged me on Instagram, I'll reply to you when I can," he remarked.