Is this the most brazen example of match-fixing in cricket history?

The ICC Anti-Corruption unit has launched a formal investigation after footage from a private T20 league in the UAE went viral online

The ICC Anti-Corruption unit has launched a formal investigation after footage from a private T20 league in the UAE went viral online.

A game from the Ajman All Stars League, which took place at the Ajman Oval near Sharjah recently, has drawn suspicions after a number of Dubai Star batsmen were dismissed in comical fashion.

Chasing 136 for victory against Sharjah Warriors, the majority of the Dubai line-up were either run out or stumped, with several not even appearing to try to regain their ground.

In one instance, a stumping was completed despite the wicketkeeper fumbling the ball to the floor, while one run out was achieved even though the fielder in question initially allow the ball to dribble between his legs.

That sparked suggestions of match-fixing.

Alex Marshall, the ICC’s anti-corruption chief, said: “There is currently an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation underway in relation to the Ajman All Stars League held recently in Ajman, UAE.

“The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit works to uphold integrity in cricket and in keeping with that role, we are talking to players and officials and will not make any further comment at this time.”

^{An ICC investigation is under way into the Ajman All Stars League}

The game was screened by Neo Sports in India and other Asian countries.

“The Emirates Cricket Board is aware that the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit is currently investigating the All Stars T20 Ajman,” Zayed Abbas, an ECB board member, said.

“The ECB can confirm that it did not approve the staging of this tournament, and has advised the ICC accordingly.”

The Ajman Cricket Council has since rescinded the Ajman Oval’s accreditation rights in the wake of the tournament, which it says was not prior-approved.

“Hereafter, any tournament conducted at the Ajman Oval ground would be disapproved and cricketers playing in them would be at a risk of being penalised,” Shaji Ul Mulk, the secretary of  the ACC, told Gulf News.

“The current tournament called All Star T20 being telecast live in India and other countries on Neo Sports and involving international cricketers like Salman Butt and Hassan Raza had been declared disapproved as it is without any approval.”

Several other T20 tournaments are now under investigation from the ACC, Ul Mulk said.

They include Gargash Premier League, Batkal League, MB Premier League, Zalmi Cricket League, Emirates Cricket League, Agha Khan Community League, Chaturvedi Community League and Unilog Super League.