ICC suspends Searles and two officials over Bim10 match-fixing probe
The ICC and Cricket West Indies announced on March 11 that three individuals have been charged for alleged corruption during the 2023/24 Bim10 Tournament, a T10 league held in Barbados. All three have been banned from any involvement in cricket with immediate effect.
Searles faces four charges under CWI code
Searles, a 39-year-old right-arm fast-medium bowling allrounder who played four matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2018, faces four charges under the CWI Anti-Corruption Code. The allegations centre on attempts to fix or improperly influence matches in the Bim10 tournament and a failure to report corrupt approaches.
Chitranjan Rathod, who owns the Titans franchise in the Bim10, has been hit with three charges. Trevon Griffith faces the heaviest scrutiny with five charges in total: four under the CWI code and one under the broader ICC Anti-Corruption Code relating to international matches. His charges include allegations of obstructing the investigation by concealing or tampering with evidence.
The trio have been given 14 days from March 11 to respond to the charges.
Second wave of Bim10 sanctions
This is the second round of sanctions connected to the Bim10 tournament. In January, USA international Aaron Jones was provisionally suspended and charged with five breaches, including match-fixing attempts and obstruction. The ICC described that action as part of a "wider investigation" that could produce further charges.
Jones, who became a household name during the USA's run at the 2024 T20 World Cup, has been sidelined from all cricket since January 28. The investigation appears to be far from over.
Uncomfortable timing for West Indies cricket
For the West Indies, the timing adds another headache. Several players and staff only departed India in recent days after travel disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict delayed their return following the T20 World Cup. Now the region's cricket governance faces uncomfortable questions about oversight of domestic T10 leagues, which have become fertile ground for corruption across the sport.
The ICC said it would not comment further until disciplinary proceedings are concluded.
