Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful was on Tuesday suspended from all forms of cricket after he confessed his involvement in fixing matches, adding another sordid chapter to the spot-fixing saga which has already engulfed Indian cricket.
More than a fortnight after the spot-fixing scandal broke out in the Indian Premier League, Ashraful’s suspension is the latest case of corruption in cricket which has seen a number of cricketers being arrested in recent times.
“As Ashraful has confessed his involvement in fixing to the ACSU team, so he should not be allowed to play any level of cricket until we get a full report of the investigation,” Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan told reporters.
“I have spoken with Ashraful, he told me that he has confessed everything to the ASCU,” Hassan said, adding that the batsman had not disclosed details of his confession to him.
The International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has been probing allegations of match-fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), a Twenty20 competition.
Hassan’s announcement came during a meeting of the BCB here to deal with the match-fixing allegations.
The alleged fixing involves a match between the Dhaka Gladiators and the Chittagong Kings teams during the second edition of the BPL.
The 28-year-old Ashraful was allegedly paid about one million taka ($12,800) to lose the February 2 match, but the cheque he was given later bounced, according to the local media.
He was also allegedly involved in fixing another match 10 days later, against the Barisal Burners, which his team lost by seven wickets, the reports said.
Meanwhile, Ashraful on Tuesday “apologised” to his nation after admitting his involvement in fixing matches during the Bangladesh Premier League.
“Forgive me,” Ashraful told reporters at his residence as he confessed his involvement in match and spot-fixing. “I would only plead that you all forgive me for my wrongdoings against the nation and myself,” Ashraful added.
Bangladesh Cricket Board had already ordered Ashraful to temporarily stay away from cricketing activity pending an ACSU investigation. More than a fortnight after the spot-fixing scandal broke out in the IPL, Ashraful’s suspension is the latest case of corruption in cricket which has seen a number of cricketers being arrested in recent times.
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