10 persons including six foreigners involved in spot-fixing, betting: Police

Police have said 10 persons including foreigners were involved in online betting and spot-fixing during the recently-held Nepal T20 League that was mired in controversies.

In a press meet on Tuesday, the Central Investigation Bureau said the involvement of four Nepalis and six foreigners has been established through an investigation.

The investigation showed cricketer Mohammad Aadil Alam (Aadil Ansari), who played for Janakpur Royals, had bowled one wide and a no-ball in at least two matches as a part of the spot-fixing plan.

Similarly, the CIB has accused former national player Mehboob Alam of his involvement in spot-fixing. Alam lured two Nepali players for the fixing, police said.

Among six foreigners, four managers, one player and one outsider were found to be involved in spot-fixing and live betting, police said.

According to the CIB, a foreign player who has not been named, hit predetermined runs during a match as a part of the spot-fixing plan as directed by a team manager.

Similarly, the financial resources of some franchise teams and the source of the remuneration disbursed to players have not been revealed, police said.

The CIB concluded that some people in managerial roles, people in contact with the players and even the players participating in the match were involved in the spot-fixing.

Police on Monday arrested veteran cricketer Mehboob Alam and emerging star Mohammad Aadil Alam (Aadil Ansari), on charges of their involvement in spot-fixing at the controversy-hit Nepal T20 League.

The first-ever franchise league organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)—which was held between December 24, 2022, and January 11, 2023—was dragged into deep trouble following revelations of spot-fixing, match-fixing and over non-payment to players by their team owners.

A high-level CIB source, who did not want to be identified, said that Seven3Sports managing director Jatin Ahluwalia was the alleged mastermind of the scandal.

The CIB source said the duo had operated as per instructions from Ahluwalia, who fled Nepal in the middle of the tournament after rumours of the match-fixing and spot-fixing started floating.

The National Sports Development Act, 2020 bars any forms of match-fixing and irregularities in matches held in Nepal and matches participated by Nepal in foreign lands.

As per Clause 33 of the Act, a person convicted of the crime is subjected to three years in jail, a fine of Rs50,000, and the transacted amount confiscation. A person who orders, instructs, abets or helps to commit such an offence will be subjected to a punishment similar to the main offender, according to the Act.

Nepali laws also bar betting. Section 125 of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017 prohibits gambling and betting in Nepal.

Nepal Police bust numerous illicit betting rings every year, however, they are only able to apprehend agents because the majority of those involved in running these rings are usually located abroad.