ICC to investigate UAE cricketing league after bizarre dismissals go viral

What's the story?

The ICC has launched a probe into a private T20 league played in the UAE which saw bizarre methods of dismissals where batsmen refused to get back into the crease to save their wickets after either dancing down to the bowlers or going after non-existent runs in the infield.

The competition, named the All-Time Ajman League, was being held at the Ajman Oval, which has now been suspended from conducting matches.

"There is currently an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation underway in relation to the Ajman All-Stars League held recently in Ajman, UAE," Alex Marshall, the ICC general manager, Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), said in a statement.

In case you didn't know..

The investigations into the matter started after a video showing the batsmen's lack of intent went viral on social media. The tournament, a private cricket league, falls neither under the jurisdiction of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), which runs cricket in the country nor under the ICC itself. The league had to be called off after just two days since the authorities did not permit it to continue playing on the ground.

Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Anti-Corruption "There is currently an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation underway in relation to the Ajman All Stars League held recently in Ajman, UAE" #Cricket pic.twitter.com/sZgsfSB9Zs

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) January 30, 2018

The heart of the matter

The Ajman Oval ground is one of the most renowned cricket stadiums in the UAE after Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, since it boasts of facilities pertaining to international requirements. Talking to ESPNcricinfo, the secretary general of the Ajman Cricket Council, Shaji Ul Mulk, said, “The tournament wasn't approved and we only came to know about the activity on day two. There are procedures and when my staff asked them to go by the rulebook, they dispersed and never came back again.”

“Meanwhile, we found the Ajman Oval breaching the code more than once and hence we have suspended their affiliation. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and are cooperating with the ICC in their ongoing investigation."

Author's Take

Although an immediate enquiry has begun into the astonishing activities of the batsmen, it is essential that such leagues are no more provided with a private status and strictly fall under the watchful eyes of the organising country or any related organization in order to prevent such incidents in the future.