Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor 'blackmailed to spot-fix matches after cocaine use'

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor says he was blackmailed into accepting a bribe to spot-fix international games but that he never went through with it.

Taylor, 35, said he was threatened by businessman in India in October 2019 to spot fix at international matches after they filmed him taking cocaine.

He said he took 15,000 US dollars but has never taken part in match fixing.

Taylor said the International Cricket Council (ICC) is imposing a «multi-year ban» on his international career.

«I would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. I may be many things, but I am not a cheat,» said ex-Zimbabwe captain Taylor, who announced last year he was retiring from international cricket.

«My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way.»

The ICC told BBC Sport an investigation is ongoing.

Taylor, one of Zimbabwe's best-known cricketers, added he would check into a rehabilitation facility on Tuesday to treat his substance abuse.

He described the last two years as «hell», adding that it had «severely impacted» his mental and physical health and he had been diagnosed with shingles and prescribed «strong anti-psychotic medication».

«It is from absolutely rock bottom that I am trying to climb out of this mess I made,» he said.

«I have let a substance take control of me and impair my vision, my morals and my values and it is time I prioritise what really matters.»

Taylor, who has played 35 Tests, 205 one-day internationals and 45 Twenty20s for Zimbabwe and also played county cricket for Nottinghamshire, said he travelled to India to discuss a potential T20 league in his home country.

He said such conversations took place and on the final