BD detains Indian over illegal cricket gambling

DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket authorities said on Monday they have detained an Indian for suspected links with illegal gambling operations during a cricket series between Bangladesh and England.

The suspect was detained during Friday’s first One-day International (ODI) of the controversial tour, held despite the country’s deadliest terror attack on a Dhaka cafe in July.

“Our anti-corruption officials found his movements suspicious so they detained him and handed him over to local police,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman Jalal Yunus.

Gambling is illegal in Bangladesh, whose cricket authorities threw out four Indian nationals last year for suspected involvement during a Twenty20 tournament.

Local police official Bhuiyan Mahboob Hossain said the suspect had been handed to the Indian High Commission after being interrogated, and had not been charged.

England agreed to tour Bangladesh only after the Bangladeshi authorities promised “unprecedented” security during the month-long tour.

The three-match ODI series is currently locked at 1-1 after England won the first match by 21 runs and Bangladesh levelled with a 34-run win in the second match.

The two teams will head now to Chittagong, where the third and final match of the series will be held on Wednesday. The teams will also play two Tests.