Heath Streak, Zimbabwe's most successful fast bowler with 216 Test wickets and a former captain, received an eight-year ban from the ICC on 22 April 2021 after admitting to five breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The offenses occurred between 2017 and 2018, when Streak was serving as bowling coach for various teams.
The ICC investigation revealed that Streak had accepted gifts including a Bitcoin worth approximately $35,000 from a corrupter, facilitated introductions between the corrupter and players, and failed to disclose approaches from the corrupter. The corruption covered international matches involving Zimbabwe and matches in various T20 leagues including the Afghanistan Premier League and the Bangladesh Premier League.
Streak admitted to the charges and cooperated with the ICC investigation, which likely helped avoid a longer ban. He was not found to have actually fixed the outcome of any match, but his facilitation of corrupt approaches to other players and his acceptance of gifts from a corrupter were considered serious breaches.
The ban was a sad end to the cricket career of one of Zimbabwe's finest cricketers. Streak had been a popular figure in world cricket, known for his wholehearted fast bowling and leadership during a difficult period for Zimbabwe cricket. His case highlighted how T20 league cricket, particularly in smaller nations, was vulnerable to corruption, and how coaches and support staff could be targeted by fixers.