BRENDAN TAYLOR ADMITS TO BEING APPROACHED BY BOOKIES AND CLAIMS THE INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL WILL IMPOSE A MULTI-YEAR BAN ON HIM.

Brendan Taylor, the former captain of Zimbabwe, stated on Monday that he was approached by bookies in India to get engaged in spot-fixing and that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will now impose a multi-year ban on him.

Brendan Taylor, the former captain of Zimbabwe, alleged on Monday that he is facing a multi-year ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for failing to report a fraudulent approach by an Indian businessman, and that he was blackmailed after "foolishly" consuming cocaine at that encounter. Taylor stated on social media that he was asked to India by the billionaire to discuss "sponsorships" and the potential creation of a T20 tournament in Zimbabwe, as well as an offer of USD 15,000 in October 2019. He didn't say who the businessman was.

"We drank cocktails, then later in the evening they openly offered me cocaine, which they were using themselves, and I foolishly accepted the bait." Taylor added, "I've gone over it a million times since and I'm still sick to my stomach thinking about that night and how they played me."

"The following morning, the same men burst into my hotel room and showed me a video recorded of me using cocaine the night before, threatening to reveal the footage to the world if I did not spot fix international matches for them."

"I'd been cornered. And I was afraid for my safety with six of these people in my hotel room. It was a ruse, and I'd fell for it. I'd entered into a circumstance that would permanently affect my life." The 35-year-old, who played 205 One-Day Internationals, 34 Tests, and 45 Twenty-20 Internationals before retiring last year, now expects the ICC to sanction him for failing to disclose the event at the time. The game's regulatory body has yet to make a statement on the situation.

"...the timing was such that we hadn't been paid by Zimbabwe cricket for 6 months and it was dubious if Zimbabwe would be able to continue participating in the international arena," he explained while attempting to justify his acceptance of the offer.

The cricketer, who was born in Harare, claimed he was blackmailed "after dinner and drinks."

"If the incident occurred in India, we would like to know the details," BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit chief Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwawala told PTI. "If he has spoken to the ICC, we would request the details from the world organisation."

No one has contacted us yet, but we'd like to learn more about the situation."

Taylor said he was also paid in part for spot-fixing matches.

"I was given the USD 15,000, but was told that it was now a 'deposit' for spot fixing, and that an extra USD 20,000 would be paid once the 'work' was finished." I accepted the money in order to board a plane and flee India. At the moment, I thought I didn't have a choice because saying no was definitely not an option. Everything I knew was that I needed to get out of there.

"The stress of what had happened had a significant influence on my mental and physical health when I returned home. I was a shambles. I was diagnosed with shingles and given amitriptyline, a powerful anti-psychotic medicine." Taylor waited four months to report the event to the ICC, claiming he did it to protect his family.

"I couldn't and wouldn't provide the 'businessman' a return on his investment because I couldn't and wouldn't. It took me four months to submit this crime and interaction to the International Criminal Court.

"I realise this was an excessively long period of time, but I believed I could safeguard everyone, especially my family. I went to the ICC on my own terms, hoping that if I described my situation, including my genuine concern for our safety and well-being, they would understand the delay.

"Unfortunately, they didn't, but I can't pretend to be unaware of this." I've attended a number of anti-corruption workshops over the years, and we all know that when it comes to filing reports, time is of the utmost." Taylor stated unequivocally that he has never been involved in any type of misconduct on the field.

"I want to state unequivocally that I have never been involved in any type of match-fixing." I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a cheater. My passion for the wonderful game of cricket far outweighs and outperforms any threats that may be directed at me.

"I attended several interviews and engagements as a result of approaching the ICC, and I was as honest and transparent as I could be during their investigations." I was berating myself both inside and out, and I now regret not seeking help and advice sooner for a variety of reasons.

"In light of this, the ICC has decided to impose a multi-year suspension on my international cricket career." I accept this decision with humility, and all I ask is that my experience be utilised to urge cricketers to report such attempts as soon as possible." Taylor will also spend time in a rehabilitation facility to help him get his life back on track. "As a result, I'd also like to inform you that on Tuesday, January 25th, I'll be entering a rehabilitation centre to get clean and get my life back on track."

"I feel compelled to relate my storey today because I know people are interested in hearing from me." To figure out how we got to this point. However, I shall be away for several weeks in order to improve.