Heath Streak responsible for Zimbabwe Cricket's darkest day- chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani

Former Zimbabwe all-rounder was handed an eight-year ban for breaching ICC's anti-corruption code.

Former Zimbabwe all-rounder and coach Heath Streak received an eight-year ban from International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching ICC’s anti-corruption code on Wednesday. The 47-year-old Streak has admitted to five breaches and agreed to ICC’s decision.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani who was extremely disappointed by Streak felt that him getting banned for corruption is the sport's darkest day in the country.

“This is a very sad and shameful episode that might well go down in history as the darkest day in Zimbabwean cricket,” he said in a statement.

Heath Streak banned for eight years from all cricket for breach of ICC's Anti-Corruption Code

Mukuhlani then talked about how the former all-rounder was a selfish character and abused his position.

“Streak was a powerful figure adored by many and held up as an idol for future generations of cricketers. But, as we and the rest of the world now know, Streak was also a corrupt, greedy, and selfish character, who regrettably abused his status and position in pursuit of dirty benefits,” the ZC chairman added.

He then went on to talk about the positives of this punishment as he said, “It would help to reinforce the measures that the ICC and ZC have been taking to root out any wrongdoing in cricket. We will continue to work actively within our structures and with the ICC to combat criminality in all of its forms and to ensure that cricket remains clean locally and globally.”

The right-arm quick Streak who has played 65 Test matches with 216 wickets to his name, whereas he has 239 scalps in 189 ODIs for Zimbabwe declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

(With Reuters inputs)