Ghulam Shabber has been banned from cricket for four years from breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code ©Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) wicketkeeper Ghulam Shabber has been handed a four-year ban from all forms of cricket for breaching six counts of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code during the series against Nepal and Zimbabwe in 2019.

The left-handed batter failed to tell the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) the full details of attempted approaches to engage in corrupt conduct in relation to the series against Nepal in January and February.

He then failed to notify the ACU about an approach made to a teammate to fix a match against Zimbabwe in April 2019 and hid details that may have evidenced misconduct from others.

The 35-year-old also refused to hand his mobile phone over to the ACU's investigation, as well as concealing information that may have been relevant.

His ban is effective until August 20 2025.

"Shabbir played 40 matches for the UAE and was expected to understand his responsibilities as an international cricketer," Alex Marshall, ICC general manager of the integrity unit, said, per Cricket Times.

Ghulam Shabber he was named in the United Arab Emirates' squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in the UAE but did not show up, it transpired that he had left the country without explanation and was later found in Pakistan ©Getty Images
Ghulam Shabber he was named in the United Arab Emirates' squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in the UAE but did not show up, it transpired that he had left the country without explanation and was later found in Pakistan ©Getty Images

"He also attended at least three anti-corruption education sessions in which players were reminded of their obligations to report any approaches by corrupters.

“It was disappointing to note that he did not report any of the approaches.

"Although he was cooperative when interviewed and expressed remorse, it is only appropriate that he be banned so that a strong message goes out to other players and potential corrupters."

Shabber retired from cricket in October 2019 but denied that it was because of corruption allegations.

He said: "If there is something with regards to anti-corruption, I am ready to cooperate in Pakistan.

"But I have decided cricket is not in my future."

UAE cricketers Amir Hayat and Ashfaq Ahmed received eight-year bans in July after the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found the pair guilty of accepting AED 15,000 (£3,000/$4,000/€3,500) in cash from a corrupt official.