The Abu Dhabi T10 League found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after UAE pacer Hazrat Bilal bowled a massive front-foot no-ball during Samp Army’s clash with the New York Strikers.
The incident has sparked widespread speculation of spot-fixing, with concerns mounting over the integrity of the tournament.
Bilal, representing Morrisville Samp Army, came into bowl the fourth over with New York Strikers struggling at 32-2 in pursuit of a 136-run target set largely by Faf du Plessis’ scintillating 75 off 32 balls. After a steady start to the over, Bilal’s no-ball on the fifth delivery raised eyebrows. The delivery saw him overstep by more than a foot, an error so glaring that it left teammates laughing and even drew a wry smile from du Plessis.
The free hit that followed added to the drama, with Donovan Ferreira smashing it for a six over extra cover. The unusual sequence prompted reactions from fans and players alike, including Australian cricketer David Warner, who questioned on social media whether a free-hit had indeed been awarded for the no-ball.
The no-ball incident comes at a time when the Abu Dhabi T10 League is under heightened scrutiny due to past corruption scandals. Earlier this year, the ICC imposed bans on several individuals associated with the league. Pune Devils batting coach Ashar Zaidi was handed a five-year ban for his involvement in corrupt activities during the 2021 edition, including soliciting others to breach anti-corruption codes. Team owners Parag Sanghavi and Krishan Kumar Choudhary were also banned for two years each for failing to report corrupt approaches.
The T10 format, with its rapid pace and reliance on individual moments, has been criticized for being particularly susceptible to spot-fixing. Fans on social media were quick to draw parallels between Bilal’s no-ball and earlier controversies, with one user labeling the incident “a textbook example of spot-fixing.”
Despite the controversy, Samp Army secured a comfortable 36-run victory, restricting the Strikers to 99-7 in their allotted 10 overs. Bilal, who bowled just one over, conceded nine runs and claimed a wicket. However, the focus remains firmly on his no-ball, which has overshadowed the match result. The league’s organizers are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the cricketing community awaits clarification on whether the no-ball was an innocent mistake or part of something more sinister.
