Cricketers Lifetime Banned for Corruption – Full List of Cricketers Banned for Life

Cricket’s integrity is sacred, yet the sport has witnessed some of its brightest stars fall from grace due to corruption, leading to lifetime bans in cricket corruption cases that shocked fans worldwide. From Pakistan’s Saleem Malik to South Africa’s Hansie Cronje, several international players appear on the list of cricketers lifetime banned for corruption, their careers ending not on the pitch but under scandal.

This ongoing battle against corruption has seen new developments as recently as 2026, with USA international batter Aaron Jones charged under the anti-corruption code and provisionally suspended from all cricket for alleged breaches of anti-corruption rules during the 2023–24 season, part of a wider investigation that may result in further sanctions.

Cricketers Lifetime Banned for Corruption

1. Saleem Malik – Pakistan

Saleem Malik was a gifted batsman, known for his wristy strokeplay square of the wicket, and the first player who truly mastered Shane Warne during Australia’s 1994–95 tour of Pakistan. He was also a successful overseas professional for Essex and an influential captain of Pakistan.

However, in 2000, Malik became the first cricketer ever banned from all forms of cricket for match-fixing. Justice Qayyum’s inquiry found him guilty of corruption. Shane Warne and Mark Waugh testified that Malik had attempted to bribe them to lose the Karachi Test of 1994–95. Malik protested his innocence, appealed to the Lahore High Court in 2001 (which rejected his plea), and later approached the Supreme Court. After seven years, a lower court eventually lifted his ban.

Despite the later legal relief, his name remains permanently linked to one of cricket’s earliest and most serious corruption scandals.

2. Ata-ur-Rehman – Pakistan

Ata-ur-Rehman emerged as one of Pakistan’s most promising young fast bowlers, debuting in England in 1992 at just 17. Tall, strong, and capable of moving the old ball, he impressed on tours of England, the West Indies, and New Zealand. He was viewed as a future pillar alongside Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

His career, however, ended abruptly. In 2000, Ata-ur-Rehman was banned for life due to his involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked Pakistan cricket. Although the ICC later freed him to return in May 2007, his international career never recovered from the damage caused by corruption allegations.

3. Mohammad Azharuddin – India

Mohammad Azharuddin was one of the most elegant batters of the modern era. His wristwork, especially on the leg side, was legendary. He scored centuries in his first three Tests, including a classic 121 at Lord’s in 1990, and finished his career just one match short of 100 Tests.

Azhar was also a highly successful captain at home and a brilliant fielder throughout his career. Yet allegations of match-fixing placed an emphatic full stop on his achievements. He received a life ban from cricket, which he challenged in court. In 2009, he entered politics by joining the Congress party.

His story remains one of cricket’s greatest tragedies, a player who came within touching distance of immortality, only to lose everything.

4. Ajay Kumar Sharma – India

Ajay Kumar Sharma was one of India’s most prolific domestic run-scorers. Playing mainly for Delhi, he scored over 10,000 first-class runs at an extraordinary average of 67.46 and was part of India’s 1988 Asia Cup-winning squad.

In 2000, aged 36, his career ended when he received a life ban for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal. In September 2014, Sharma was cleared of all charges by a Delhi district court and later asked the BCCI to allow him to participate in cricket administration. After retiring from cricket, he invested in running multiple franchises of the Clean Laundry and dry-cleaning brand across Delhi NCR and Punjab.

5. Hansie Cronje – South Africa

Hansie Cronje was one of South Africa’s most influential captains, leading the country in 53 Tests and 138 ODIs, winning 27 Tests and 99 one-day internationals. He was an outstanding all-round cricketer, scoring:

• 3,714 Test runs at 36.41, taking 43 wickets
• 5,565 ODI runs at 38.64, with 114 wickets and 72 catches
• 12,103 first-class runs and 116 wickets

Cronje admitted to taking bribes from bookmakers, providing information and fixing matches. Investigations revealed payments totaling around US$140,000, including money for underperforming, influencing declarations, and persuading teammates to manipulate games. He was given a life ban from all cricket.

In June 2002, Cronje died in a plane crash in South Africa. His death brought mourning across the nation, but in cricketing history, he remains a tarnished hero, a great leader whose legacy was irreversibly damaged by corruption.

6. Danish Kaneria – Pakistan

Danish Kaneria finished his career as Pakistan’s highest wicket-taking spinner, with 276 international wickets and over 1,000 first-class wickets. Tall and capable of generating a sharp turn, his googly was once described by Richie Benaud as among the best disguised he had seen.

Despite strong performances after 2004, especially against Sri Lanka, England, and the West Indies, Kaneria’s career ended in disgrace. In 2012, he was banned for life by the England and Wales Cricket Board after being found guilty of spot-fixing in a 2009 Pro40 match while playing for Essex. The case also involved teammate Mervyn Westfield, who pleaded guilty.

7. Lou Vincent – New Zealand

 Lou Vincent, a former New Zealand international batter, publicly admitted his involvement in fixing, calling himself a “cheat” in a written statement. He was charged on 14 offences related to fixing in county cricket and received a life ban from the ECB.

Vincent later pleaded guilty to seven charges related to spot-fixing in the Champions League and was banned for life from the competition. He admitted being approached by illegal bookmakers during the Bangladesh Premier League and thanked the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit for their support.

He also revealed he had struggled with depression, but made clear it was no excuse for his actions. His case remains one of the most open confessions of corruption in international cricket.

What Is a Lifetime Ban in Cricket?

A lifetime ban in cricket corruption cases is the most severe disciplinary action. It permanently removes a player from all recognised cricketing activities, including playing, coaching, officiating, and administrative roles, depending on the authority enforcing the sanction.

Such bans are typically imposed in cases involving:

• Match-fixing scandals in cricket history
• Spot fixing cases in cricket
• Betting scandals in cricket
• Serious breaches of ICC anti-corruption codes

Why Do Cricketers Receive Lifetime Bans?

Lifetime bans have been imposed due to:

• Accepting bribes from bookmakers
• Fixing match results
• Spot-fixing specific moments
• Sharing insider information
• Persuading teammates to underperform

These acts are considered major cricket integrity violations and fall under the strictest cricket corruption rules and punishment policies.

FAQs

Q: How many cricketers are banned for life due to corruption?
Multiple international players across different countries have received lifetime bans for corruption, including Saleem Malik, Hansie Cronje, Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Kumar Sharma, Danish Kaneria, Ata-ur-Rehman, and Lou Vincent.

Q: Who is the most famous cricketer banned for life?
Hansie Cronje and Mohammad Azharuddin are among the most famous cricketers banned for life due to corruption, given their achievements, captaincy records, and influence on international cricket.

Q: What is the difference between match fixing and spot fixing?
Match fixing involves manipulating the result of a game, while spot fixing focuses on fixing specific moments within a match, such as a particular over or dismissal, often for betting purposes.

Q: Can a lifetime ban be removed in cricket?
In some cases, players have challenged lifetime bans in court or through cricketing authorities. For example, Saleem Malik later had his ban lifted by a lower court, and Ata-ur-Rehman was freed by the ICC in 2007.

Q: What happens after a lifetime ban in cricket?|
A lifetime ban typically ends a player’s professional cricket involvement. Some former players pursue careers outside cricket, while others attempt legal appeals or rehabilitation through anti-corruption cooperation.

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