Top cricket official barred from leaving Bangladesh over corruption probe

Bangladesh's anti-corruption commission has barred a top cricket official from leaving the country as it steps up an investigation into the sport's national body, a spokesman said Friday. Mahbubul Anam is one of at least two senior Bangladesh Cricket Board directors under suspicion.

READ | Simon Taufel Still Traumatized By Horrific Lahore Terror Attack Ten Years Ago; Speaks Out

"An investigation is underway against him (Anam) for amassing illegal wealth. The concerned authorities have been instructed to ensure he cannot leave the country," commission spokesman Pranab Kumar Bhattacharjee told AFP The commission told immigration police in a letter on Thursday that Anam was under investigation for manipulating tenders and appointments and abusing his power in the selection of cricket board sponsors.

READ | WATCH: Odisha Boy Selected In India's Blind Cricket Team

"It was learnt that this person is trying to flee the county with his family. For proper investigation it is essential to stop him from going abroad," said the letter, which was seen by AFP.

Anam, a former BCB general secretary and vice-president, denied any wrongdoing. "I am not involved with any BCB tender process or sponsorship. The allegation is not true," he said.

READ | Kiwi Cricketer Nails Geometrically Impossible Shot You've Only Seen In Video Games

The BCB has faced regular corruption scandals. Another BCB director, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, was arrested in September for running an illegal casino in a sports club. He was remanded in custody in November on charges of  accumulating illegal wealth and remains under investigation.

READ | Cornwall Takes 10 As West Indies Crush Afghanistan In Just Over Two Days