"I may be many things but I am not a cheat," Taylor had said while disclosing the matter on social media © Getty
Brendan Taylor has been banned for three and half years. The International Cricket Council (ICC), which made the announcement on Friday (January 28), said the former Zimbabwe captain has confessed to his involvement in anti-corruption activity. He was found guilty for breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code.

A few days ago, Taylor had made a disclosure through his social media handle that he had accepted money from a dubious Indian businessman but said was not a cheat. "I may be many things but I am not a cheat," the former wicketkeeper batsman had said.

The ICC said Taylor chose to admit the charges under the provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and agreed to the sanctions in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. The charges against him were:

Article 2.4.2 - Failing to disclose (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that (a) the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code or (b) that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

Article 2.4.3 - Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) receipt of gifts/hospitality with a value of US$750 or more regardless of the circumstances in which they were given.

Article 2.4.4 - Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe's then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh.

Article 2.4.7 - obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and / or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

Cricbuzz understands that Taylor had travelled to Delhi in September 2019 on the invite of an Indian businessman called Manish, who has been referred to by the ICC as Mr S. They discussed starting a T20 tournament in Zimbabwe and an advance $15,000 was paid in cash to Taylor, with a promise of further $20,000 fee for his role.

During the trip, Taylor got a new Samsung S10 phone from his host, as his own phone was "busted up", some money to spend while he was in India, and was also paid for new clothes by the Indian businessman. Taylor was also provided with "various things for his entertainment" while he was in India.

According to anti-corruption sources in India, the tournament could not be organised because of the global pandemic situation that followed months later. Taylor, when asked to return the advance, told the Indian businessman that he would return the advance once his dues are cleared by the Zimbabwe board.

The 35-year-old wicketkeeper batsman reported the approach from the Indian businessman to the ICC in March 2020 but his versions apparently kept changing in subsequent interviews with the ICC Anti-Corruption investigators.

According to the ICC, Taylor had a meeting with Mr S and his associates, during which there was discussion around spot-fixing at international matches which he had spoken of in his public disclosure. The player admitted he could make $35,000 for engaging in spot fixing in upcoming matches and that he needed another player involved to make the fix happen. Zimbabwe were due to play Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in February and March 2020.

In his initial report to the ACU, Taylor made no mention of any discussion around corruption. He gave an impression that the $15,000 payment for his services in traveling to India. In subsequent interviews, he changed the version and accepted that the money was advanced for future fixes.

Taylor still has the $15,000 which he has said is being "looked after safely by a friend."

Taylor was called by Mr S in mid-March 2020 when Zimbabwe were in Bangladesh. He was asked to deliver, which he had failed in the past. Taylor claimed that "he refused to do any work (which he understood to be a reference to fixing) for Mr S to which [Mr S] responded by again threatening to release the video to the TV and radio, as well as his wife." There is no mention of the exact nature of the video but Taylor had said in his public confession that his Indian hosts had forced him to take cocaine and secretly filmed it at a party in Delhi. Following this threatening call, the Zimbabwean reported it to the ICC authorities.

The ICC said Taylor tested positive for the stimulant Benzoylecognine, a cocaine metabolite, which is specified as a Substance of Abuse under the Code. For this, Taylor has accepted a one-month period of ineligibility which will run concurrently with the suspension of three and a half years.

In a career of 34 Tests, 205 ODIs and 45 T20Is spanning 17 years, Taylor attended at least 13 anti-corruption education sessions conducted by the ICC. "It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations, however he has accepted all charges, which has been reflected in the sanction. I would echo Brendan's message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity. We wish Brendan well in his rehabilitation," Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager - Integrity Unit, said.