Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has made a shocking revelation that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be imposing a multi-year ban on his international cricketing career as he allegedly delayed reporting an Indian businessman's approach for spot-fixing in late October 2019.
Taylor explained in a long Twitter post that he was blackmailed by Indian businessman after they recorded him taking “cocaine” over dinner and drinks. The 35-year-old also said that they forced him to take USD 15,000 to do “spot-fixing” in international matches. The Harare-born cricketer claims that he was lured into coming to India to discuss sponsorships and “potential launch of a T20 competition” in his country which led to the alleged incident.
Taylor has also said that he will be starting his rehabilitation at a centre to “get his life back on track”.
Taylor’s full statement
To my friends, family, supporters and wider public.
I've been carrying a burden for over 2 years now that has sadly taken me to some very dark places and had a profound effect on my mental health. And I've only recently managed to start sharing coy story with close friends and family and receive the love and support I guess I was too ashamed and frightened to seek in the first place.
This may not make for comfortable reading but I would like to make a statement regarding a finding made by the ICC, which is soon to be released.
In late October 2019, I was approached by an Indian businessman requesting that I attend India to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD$15 000 to make the journey.
I can't deny I was a little wary. But the timing was such that we hadn't been paid for 6 months by Zimbabwe cricket and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena. So I made the journey. The discussions took place, as he had said, and on our last night in the hotel, the businessman and his colleagues took me for a celebratory dinner.
We had drinks and during the course of the evening they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and I foolishly took the bait. I've gone over it a million times since and still feel sick to my stomach reliving that night and how they played me.
The following morning, the same men stormed into my hotel room and showed me a video taken of me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not spot fix at international matches for them, the video would be released to the public.
I was cornered. And with 6 of these individuals in my hotel room, I was scared for toy own safety. I'd fallen for it. I'd willingly walked into a situation that has changed my life forever.
I was handed the USD$15 000 but was told this was now a 'deposit' for spot fixing and that an additional USD$20 000 would be paid once the "job" was complete. I took the money so I could get on a plane and leave India. I felt I had no choice at the time because saying no was clearly not an option. All I knew was I had to get out of there.
When I returned home, the stress of that had taken place severely impacted my mental and physical health. I was a mess. I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed strong anti-psychotic medication - amitriptyline.
The 'businessman' wanted a return on his investment which I could not and would not give. It took me 4 months to report this offence and interaction to the ICC. I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular, toy family. I approached the ICC on my own terms and I hoped that if I explained my predicament, my genuine fear for our safety and wellbeing, that they would understand the delay.
Unfortunately, they did not, but I cannot feign ignorance in this regard. I have attended many anti-corruption seminars over the years and we know that time is of the essence when making reports.
I would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. I may be many things but I am not a cheat. My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way.
As a result of approaching the ICC I attended multiple interviews and engagements and was as honest and transparent as I could be during their investigations. Inside and outside I was beating myself up and I still wish I had sought support and advice earlier for a multitude of reasons.
That being said, the ICC are taking the decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricketing career. I humbly accept this decision and only hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any approaches early.
I will admit that the past two years have been incredibly challenging, both personally and professionally and it is from absolute rock bottom that I am trying to climb out of this mess I made.
My family and friends have been incredibly supportive of me and it is clear to me now that I have a much bigger problem which for some time has needed addressing.
And so, I would also like to let you know that on Tuesday the 25th of January I am checking into a rehabilitation centre to get clean and to get my life back on track. I have to tell my story now because I know people will want to hear from me. To try and understand what led to this point. But for many weeks I will be away and trying to get better.
I owe it to myself and to toy family to get clean and to put them first. I have let a substance take control of me and impair toy vision, my morals and my values and it is time that I prioritise what really matters.
I also hope my story inspires someone who hears it, to get the help that they need. I had not realized that coming forward and talking would give me so much relief from the hell I have found myself in for years. Drugs and narcotics do not discriminate and it took all that I have to admit that I have a problem.
To end I need to let you know l am sorry for those I have hurt. I am sorry for those I have let down.
I would like to thank my family, my friends and toy supporters for always being there. I have learnt the true meaning of loyalty.
The greatest honor that can be bestowed, is to captain and represent ones country and for this, I am eternally grateful.
I am also grateful for what this experience has taught me. I am grateful for my four beautiful children, my loving and supportive wife, my health and the clarity I now have to want to be a better version of myself.
Taylor’s career
Taylor has represented Zimbabwe in 205 ODIs, 34 Tests and 45 T20Is. The wicketkeeper-batter is Zimbabwe's all-time second-highest run-scorer in the 50-over format with 6,684 runs from 203 innings at an average of 35.55 including 11 centuries and 39 half-centuries. In the red-ball format, he has 2,30 runs to his name at an average of 36.25 including six centuries and 12 half-centuries. In the T20I format, he has 934 runs from 45 innings including six fifties. He has also led Zimbabwe in 37 ODIs, 16 Tests and 18 T20Is.
