Cricket, often referred to as a “gentleman’s game,” has seen some of its most celebrated players face imprisonment due to various illegal activities.
Below is a look at notable cricketers who have found themselves behind bars, presented in descending order.
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10. Salman Butt (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal. He was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme to manipulate match outcomes during a Test match against England.
After serving eight months, he was released but faced significant backlash upon his return to cricket.
9. Mohammed Amir (Pakistan)
Mohammed Amir was implicated in the same spot-fixing scandal as Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. He received a six-month jail sentence and spent time at Feltham Young Offenders Institution in England. After his release, Amir made a successful comeback to international cricket, participating in several ICC events.
8. S. Sreesanth (India)
S. Sreesanth was arrested in May 2013 for his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Along with two teammates, he was accused of accepting money to manipulate match outcomes. Sreesanth later admitted to the charges and faced a lengthy ban from cricket.
7. Mohammad Asif (Pakistan)
Mohammad Asif was arrested in Dubai for drug possession in 2008 and later sentenced to prison for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan’s tour of England. His controversial career remains a topic of discussion in cricket circles, as he was one of the key figures in the scandal.
6. Makhaya Ntini (South Africa)
South African pace bowler Makhaya Ntini faced accusations of sexual assault and rape in 1999, which led to a brief imprisonment. He was later acquitted of all charges and went on to have a successful career, playing over 100 Test matches for South Africa.
5. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and current politician, Imran Khan, is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption. Following the fall of his government, he was sentenced to three years in jail, although his sentence was later relaxed after a review.
4. Suresh Raina (India)
Former Indian middle-order batter Suresh Raina was briefly jailed in December 2020 for violating COVID-19 protocols while attending a party in Mumbai. He was among 34 individuals arrested during the incident, highlighting the strict regulations in place at the time.
3. Danushka Gunathilaka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested in Australia during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 for sexual assault. He spent 11 days in jail, but all charges were later dropped in September 2023, allowing him to return to his cricketing career.
2. Sandeep Lamichchane (Nepal)
Nepalese leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichchane was sentenced to eight years in prison for raping an 18-year-old woman. Once a prominent figure in Nepal cricket, he represented the national team in numerous matches before his conviction, which shocked the cricketing community.
1. Navjot Singh Sidhu (India)
Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu served one year in prison for a road rage incident. In 1988, he was involved in a confrontation that led to the death of a man.
After spending 10 months in Patiala Jail, he was released on April 1, 2023, marking a significant chapter in his life.
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