The Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has suggested a minimum five-year ban for wicketkeeper-batter Minhazul Abedin Sabbir for match-fixing in country's premier One-Day domestic tournament, Dhaka Premier League.
An investigation was launched when two controversial dismissals of Shinepukur Cricket Club against Gulshan Cricket in DPL 2025 came under the scanner. First, opener Rahim Ahmed made no real effort of getting back to the crease after advancing down the track against left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman. Later in the innings, Sabbir was stumped out by wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam Ankon. In the second stumping as well, there was no effort to save the wicket. These incidents led to uproar from former Bangladesh cricketers, eventually turning into a full-blown investigation.
Recommendation of ban and wake-up call for Bangladesh
As per a report by Cricbuzz, Sabbir breached several clauses of BCB's Anti-Corruption Code.
"Given the evidence, we are recommending at least a five-year ban from all cricket, with the possibility of eight to ten years or more," BCB’s Anti-Corruption Tribunal mentioned in their report.
"This reflects the severity of the offence and acts as a deterrent. Comparable cases such as Mohammad Ashraful's eight-year suspension also support a harsh penalty," the report added.
Further, Sabbir was found guilty of being in regular conversation with foreign bookmakers.
"This case is a wake-up call and will serve as a template for stronger anti-corruption efforts in Bangladesh cricket," the report further added.
The ACU has recommended the deployment of anti-corruption personnel in dressing rooms, even at domestic level to see if any player is communicating with a betting organisation.
Sabbir’s domestic record
So far, the 27-year-old wicketkeeper has played one first-class, 25 List A and two T20s. From 24 List A innings, he has scored 667 runs at an average of 31.76, including four fifties. His highest score of 59 not out came in his last List A appearance on April 21, 2025.
Can Sabbir play professional cricket again?
Even if Sabbir faces a five-year ban, he can make a comeback to professional cricket. However, he will have to go through rehabilitation programmes. He will educate young cricketers on how to flag corrupt advances. This is similar to what players guilty of match-fixing underwent in other cricketing nations part of the ICC.