Suspended former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said on Monday that he is keeping himself fit so that he can make a comeback to competitive cricket as soon as his ban is lifted. Ashraful was slapped with an eight-year ban from all forms of cricket in June this year after he was found guilty of match-fixing by a tribunal set up by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. But a disciplinary appeal panel ‘set aside’ the sanction and reduced the ban to five years including two-year suspended sentence provided the star batsman participates in the ‘anti-corruption education and training programme.
Ashraful would now ‘be entitled to return to cricket on or about 13 August 2016 upon production of a certificate of good conduct from ICC,’ the panel said in its verdict.
Though International Cricket Council and BCB appealed against the judgment in Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sports, Ashraful is hopeful of his future.
Speaking to the reporters in Mirpur, Ashraful who spent several months playing cricket in USA defying his ban, said he is continuing his practice to get himself ready for cricket.
‘My case is not over, I don’t know what will happen,’ said Ashraful. But I am trying to keep myself fit so that I can return when I get a chance.
I am confident if I can stay fit and healthy, I will be able to make a comeback. A batsman can easily play up to 38-40 years of age. I am only 30 now and in 2016 my age will be 32, so I can always make a comeback.
Ashraful said he is grateful for the support he received from the fans and BCB after he had confessed his involvement in Bangladesh Premier League match-fixing scandal.
‘I am really humbled by the support I received from the fans. The BCB also has given me enough support,’ said Ashraful refusing to give up his hopes of making a comeback in the national team.
‘I feel lucky that I could play 13 years in the national team. If I return to cricket I am confident I will be able to make a comeback in the national team at least for a day,’ he said.
One-time prodigy Ashraful, who played 61 Tests, 177 one-day internationals, tearfully admitted having helped fix matches in second edition of BCL which has been tainted by scandal since its inception.
-With New Age input
