Naveed Arif Gondal banned for life from playing cricket

Naveed Arif Gondal has been banned for life for taking part in corrupt activities

Former Sussex and Pakistan player Naveed Arif Gondal has been found guilty of breaching ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code.

The 32-year-old has been banned for life after he accepted during a tape-recorded interview and signed statements about his involvement in corrupt activities. The pacer was guilty of six breaches of the code and all related to corrupt activity in relation with the Clydesdale Bank 40 fixture between Sussex and Kent at Hove in August 2011.

Gondal has accepted the life ban which has been sanctioned on him by ECB.

The life ban prevents the tainted bowler from taking part in any tournament as a player, coach or participating in any tournament which is sanctioned by ECB, ICC or any other national board.

Gondal had been playing for Little Stoke in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League after which he suspended temporarily in April 2014 for his involvement in the corrupt activity.

“Today’s announcement sends out a very clear message that ECB has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and that it will root out and punish those who pose a threat to the game’s integrity,” said ECB Chief Executive David Collier.

“We thank the anti-corruption team for their work in bringing this case and trust that it will serve as a stark reminder to all players of the dangers that corrupt activities pose to their careers and livelihoods,” added Collier.