Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor says he was blackmailed into accepting a bribe to arrange international matches, but that was not the case.
Taylor, 35, said he was threatened by an Indian businessman over internationals in October 2019 after he was filmed using cocaine.
He said he raised $15,000 but never participated in improving the game.
Taylor said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had given his international career a “multi-year ban”.
“I would like to state that I have never been involved in the organization of a match. There may be a lot of things but I am not a cheat,” said former Zimbabwe captain Taylor, who announced his retirement last year.
“My love for the beautiful game of cricket outweighs and surpasses any threat that might come my way.”
The ICC told BBC Sport that an investigation was underway.
Taylor, one of Zimbabwe’s most famous cricketers, said he will go to a drug treatment center on Tuesday to treat his drug addiction.
He described the past two years as “hell”, adding that they have had “a significant impact” on his mental and physical health and that he has been diagnosed with shingles and prescribed “potent antipsychotics”.
“It’s the bottom I want to get out of this mess I’ve created,” he said.
“I’m striving to take control of the bottom line and align my vision, morale, and values, and it’s time to prioritize what matters.”
Taylor, Che ha giocato 35, 205 internazionali di un giorno e 45 Twenty20 for lo Zimbabwe e ha anche giocato a cricket della contea per il Nottinghamshire, ha detto di essersi recato in India per discothed di un potentiale campionato T20 nel suo paese d’ source .
He said such talks took place and that he was offered cocaine last night.
The next day, the same men broke into her hotel room, showed her a video of the drug use, and said it would be released if Taylor didn’t find a solution for her, Taylor said.
Taylor said he received $15,000 (£11,000) as a “down payment” and would receive an additional $20,000 (£14,800) when “the work is complete”.
“A ‘businessman’ wanted a return on investment, which I couldn’t and wouldn’t give,” Taylor said.
“I took the money to leave India. I felt like I didn’t have a choice at the time as it wasn’t an option.
“I don’t know if I should go.”
Taylor said it took him four months to report the crime to the ICC.
“I know it’s too long but I thought I could protect everyone and especially my family,” he said.
The ICC Anti-Corruption Code prohibits players from accepting bribes for affecting a game and also states that all approaches must be reported “without undue delay”.
BBC Sport understands Taylor has accepted the ICC’s allegations and the board has offered sanctions, although a final decision has not yet been made.
