Former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful finally returned to cricket after serving three years ban that partially lifted today (Saturday) allowing him to resume playing at the domestic level in Bangladesh.
A BCB press release in September 2014 had stated that “upon production of a certificate of good conduct from the ICC, he will be eligible to return to cricket on or about August 13, 2016”.
Once the ICC issues the certificate, it is understood that Ashraful will be allowed to resume first-class domestic cricket in Bangladesh as well as non-first-class domestic cricket in other ICC members’ jurisdictions from August 13.
However his participation in cricket is still in question though the ban has been lifted. Moreover, the board has already sent a letter to International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding this issue.
A BCB official taking to cricket website said that Ashraful would be able to join domestic cricket after getting the “Certificate of Good Conduct” from ICC.
Ashraful was the most popular Bangladesh cricketer in international arena before getting involved in match fixing scam. He was undoubtedly the best Bangladesh Test and ODI batsmen till his suspension.
In 2014, Ashraful’s initial eight year ban was reduced to five years, with two years suspended subject to his participation in a BCB or ICC anti corruption education and training programme. As he did the needful during the 2015 BPL, appeared in awareness video shown to players and officials.
The former Bangladesh captain, who has served three years of his suspension for involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing in the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), will only be eligible to play international cricket from 2018.
