Ban follows corruption tribunal ruling
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has banned player agent Mugheez Ahmed Sheikh for five years after finding him guilty of attempting to influence county cricket player selection through financial inducements, according to a report by Telecom Asia Sport. The ban, issued by the ECB’s independent anti-corruption tribunal, will run from March 26, 2025, with the final 30 months suspended subject to good behaviour and completion of education programs.
Sheikh, who headed the International Cricketers Association (ICA), has previously represented a host of current and former Pakistani cricketers, including Naseem Shah, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saeed Ajmal, Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Mohammad Hasnain, as well as ex-internationals like Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, and Saeed Ajmal.
Allegations of influencing county selection
The ECB’s investigation found that Sheikh approached a professional county team coach with a corrupt proposal — offering the coach a share of his commission if certain players he represented were selected for franchise tournaments. The incident was immediately reported by the coach, triggering the investigation and eventual disciplinary action.
While the tribunal confirmed there was no evidence of match-fixing or betting, the charges related to improper attempts to influence selection decisions. The ECB emphasised that such conduct poses a serious threat to the integrity of cricket in England, Wales, and beyond.
Previous deals and controversies
Sheikh was no stranger to county negotiations, having previously secured contracts for stars such as Saeed Ajmal and Naseem Shah, as well as brokering endorsement and promotional opportunities for Pakistani players. However, in recent years, his name had been linked to controversies involving alleged unethical practices, leading many players to distance themselves from him.
The case underscores the ECB’s ongoing zero-tolerance stance toward corruption, with the board reiterating that any credible allegations will be fully investigated to protect the sport’s integrity.
