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Sport

Former Sussex paceman Naveed Arif banned from cricket for life after admitting six breaches of ECB Anti-Corruption Code in a game against Kent in 2011

By: Alex Hoad

Published: 00:00, 18 June 2014

Updated: 12:29, 18 June 2014

Former Sussex and Pakistan A paceman Naveed Arif has been banned from cricket for life after admitting breaching the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code in a game against Kent in 2011.

In video interviews Arif admitted six breaches of the code relating to corrupt activity in a CB40 fixture against the Spitfires at Hove in August 2011 and the 32-year-old has accepted his ban.

The terms prevent him from playing, coaching or participating in any form of cricket recognised or sanctioned by the ECB, ICC or other national cricket federations.

New Zealand whistleblower Lou Vincent, 35, claimed he was paid £40,000 to help fix the 40-over match against Kent, which was screened live on SKY, among several revelations he made to an ICC investigation earlier this year.

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The Kiwi, with 23 Test caps and 102 ODIs to his name, was run out for just one as the hosts collapsed from 76-0 to fall 14 runs short of their target of 216.

Arif’s six overs bowled in the match went for 41 runs while the 32-year-old - who left Sussex in 2012 - scored just 11 runs from 29 balls in the middle.

The seamer had been playing for Little Stoke in the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire League before a temporary suspension was imposed in April.

A statement from Arif’s solicitors said: “Mr Arif regrets his conduct which has let himself, his teammates, Sussex County Cricket Club and the cricket fraternity down.

“He is deeply ashamed of his actions and, consequently, bringing the game of cricket into disrepute. These actions were unacceptable and Mr Arif has no excuses.

“Being banned from cricket, the game he loves, is the most severe punishment he could receive. Mr Arif is currently considering his future, having learnt some painful lessons from his past.”

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ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “Today’s announcement sends out a very clear message that ECB has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and that it will root out and punish those who pose a threat to the game’s integrity.

“We thank the anti-corruption team for their work in bringing this case and trust that it will serve as a stark reminder to all players of the dangers that corrupt activities pose to their careers and livelihoods.”

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