Brendan Taylor alleges Indian businessman tried to force him to spot-fix matches

Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeperbatter Brendan Taylor has made explosive claims that an unnamed Indian businessman allegedly tried to force him to spotfix international games threatening to make public a video of the cricketer taking cocaine if he did not submit to his commandThe 35yearold Taylor who retired from international cricket in September last year posted a fourpage letter on social media in which he explained how he was conned into flying to India in October 2019 by a businessman on the pretext of discussing sponsorship details and the potential launch of a Twenty20 tournament in ZimbabweTaylor said the circumstances were such that he accepted the offer to fly to India claiming he was hardpressed for money as Zimbabwe Cricket ZC had not paid salaries for six months Taylor who is one of Zimbabwes bestknown cricketers added that he was tricked into taking cocaine and a video made which was later used to blackmail himThe cricketer said that when he returned home the stress of what had taken place severely impacted his mental and physical health He also added that the International Cricket Council ICC had made a finding which it will soon releaseIn his statement on Twitter Taylor who has 6684 ODI runs from 205 ODIs and is marginally short of Andy Flowers national record of 6786 said he had been carrying the burden for two yearsTo my family friends and supporters Here is my full statement Thank you pictwittercomsVCckD4PMVmdash Brendan Taylor BrendanTaylor86 January 24 2022Now that has sadly taken me to some very dark places and had a profound effect on my mental health I would like to make a statement regarding a finding made by the ICC which is soon to be released In late October 2019 I was approached by an Indian businessman requesting that I attend India to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD 15000 to make the journey I cant deny I was a little wary But the timing was such that we hadnt been paid for six months by Zimbabwe Cricket and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena So I made the journeyThe discussions took place as he had said and on our last night in the hotel the businessman and his colleagues took me for a celebratory dinner We had drinks and during the course of the evening they openly offered me cocaine which they themselves engaged in and I foolishly took the bait Ive gone over it a million times since and still feel sick to my stomach reliving that night and how they played me said TaylorThe following morning the same men stormed into my hotel room and showed me a video taken of me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not spot fix at international matches for them the video would be released to the public With six of these individuals in my hotel room I was scared for my own safety Id fallen for it Id willingly walked into a situation that has changed my life foreverI was handed the USD 15000 but was told this was now a deposit for spotfixing and that an additional USD 20000 would be paid once the job was complete I took the money so I could get on a plane and leave India I felt I had no choice at the time because saying no was clearly not an option All I knew was I had to get out of thereWhen I returned home the stress of what had taken place severely impacted my mental and physical health I was a mess I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed strong antishypsychotic medication amitriptylineTaylor said that it took him some time to report the matter to the ICC adding that he delayed approaching the global governing body for the sport as he felt his family could be in troubleThe businessman wanted a return on his investment which I could not and would not give It took me 4 months to report this offence and interaction to the ICC I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular my family I approached the ICC on my own terms and I hoped that if I explained my predicament my genuine fear for our safety and wellbeing that they would understand the delayUnfortunately they did not but I cannot feign ignorance in this regard I have attended many anticorruption seminars over the years and we know that time is of the essence when making reportsTaylor said that he had never been involved in any form of matchfixing adding that his love for the sport far outweighed any threats thrown in his wayI would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of matchfixing I may be many things but I am not a cheat My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way As a result of approaching the ICC I attended multiple interviews and engagements and was as honest and transparent as I could be during their investigations That being said the ICC are taking the decision to impose a multiyear ban on my international cricketing career I humbly accept this decision and only hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any approaches earlyHe said he would be entering a rehabilitation centre on January 25 to get clean and to get my life back on trackThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever