Brandon Taylor said an Indian businessman approached him for spot-fixing and explained how he was filmed taking cocaine and was blackmailed to engage in spot-fixing.
Spot-fixing has again come to the fore in the cricket world. Brandon Taylor, former Zimbabwe Cricket captain, has shared an anecdote about two years old by issuing a statement on Twitter. He has made serious allegations against an Indian businessman regarding spot-fixing.
According to Brandon Taylor, he was approached for spot-fixing by an Indian businessman. Apart from this, cocaine was also given to Brandon Taylor, after which he was blackmailed by making a video. After this revelation, the ICC has banned Brandon Taylor and can also make some revelations in this matter. Brandon Taylor has thanked his family for supporting him in this sad time.
Taylor is going into rehabilitation from January 25 to overcome the drug addiction and bring life back on track by improving the condition, which has worsened his life, the statement reads.
Brandon Taylor, in his statement, said, "I was carrying a load for the last two years. Now it has started affecting my mental health and has brought me into a dark phase. In October 2019, he was approached by an Indian businessman, in which he was asked to discuss about sponsorship."
According to Brandon Taylor, he was told a plan to start a T20 league in Zimbabwe and was given the US $15000 to come to India. "I can't deny I was a little wary. But the timing was such that we hadn't been paid for 6 months by Zimbabwe cricket, and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena. So I made the journey. The 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," the statement further reads.
Taylor then explained how he was filmed taking cocaine and was blackmailed to engage in spot-fixing. However, he explained he did not do any match-fixing and reported the matter to the ICC after some time. "The next morning, the same person came to my room and showed me my video of taking cocaine and threatened that I should spot-fix an international match for him; otherwise, the video would be released," said Taylor.
Brandon Taylor further admitted that six people in the hotel room surrounded him, after which he was given US $15000. He was asked for spot-fixing and promised that another US$20000 would be given when the work was done. "I had to save my life, so I took that money to come back home," said Taylor.
Taylor also said, "I had never been involved in any form of match-fixing. 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."
Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reacted to Brendan Taylor's confession about being approached by bookies for spot-fixing in India. Ashwin took to Twitter and said, "Spread the awareness!! Most times, the hand dealt to us at the poker table gives us an option to bet or fold!! It's important to fold and leave the table! All strength to Brendan and his family."
Brendan Taylor has captained Zimbabwe in 71 matches between 2011 and 2021 across the three formats. He is also the most successful player Zimbabwe has ever produced.
