The Bangladesh Cricket Board lifted the provisional ban on Dhaka Gladiators’ left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain and pace bowler Mahbubul Alam as the duo came out clean after being charged in the Bangladesh Premier League’s match-fixing scandal. BCB’s acting chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury said there is no bar from participating in any form of cricket for them after they sought legal opinion which paved the way for both the cricketers.
‘They are free to take part in any form of cricket,’ Nizamuddin told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
‘We have sought the legal opinion and they suggested there is no problem regarding their returning to cricket,’ said Nizamuddin.
The duo were among nine individuals accused by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of the International Cricket Council of being involved in corrupt practices or failing to report corrupt approaches made to them during the BPL second edition.
A BCB tribunal on February 26 acquitted six players and officials and only found an owner of the champions Dhaka Gladiators guilty.
Mosharraf and Mahbabul were among the six persons who were acquitted by the Tribunal though the BCB did not lift the ban immediately and came in for severe criticism.
Dhaka Gladiators recently urged the BCB to lift their ban in line with some foreign cricketers who were also implicated in the case but did not face any ban.
Mosharraf said that he was extremely happy with the decision of the BCB that will allow him to return to competitive cricket.
‘I am extremely relieved,’ said Mosharraf. ‘I feel that the toughest phase of my life is just over.’
‘I am expecting to play for Walton Central Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League,’ he said.
The seasoned left-arm spinner, who once had joined the renegade Indian Cricket League by sacrificing the national interest, was always considered a valuable asset in the domestic competitions.
Mosharraf was banned for 10 years by the BCB for his ICL involvement before it was lifted as he severed his tie with the unofficial Twenty20 competition, a tournament that was also alleged to be a match-fixing hub.
Mosharraf added that the long wait for proving his innocence was very hard to bear.
‘I was practising and making every effort, still I could not play. It was really hard,’ said Mosharraf.
‘At times the future looked very bleak, making me wonder what is really stored for me,’ he added.
‘I am hoping to go to England after the BCL and see whether I can find a team in Minor County. Though their season has started still I will try to get somewhere,’ said Mosharraf.
Mosharraf had to return from England midway through the last season after the charges were made, where he was playing in Durham County League.
Pace bowler Mahbubul is also content with the decision.
‘I cannot explain through words how I am feeling,’ said Mahbubul.
‘For the last one year it was quite hard for me because of the mental pressure that I went through,’ said Mahbubul.
‘Socially it was really hard as these days cricket is followed by a lot of people,’ he said.
‘I don’t know about my immediate future as there are only a few games left in the BCL. I feel that probably I will be back with the Dhaka Premier League,’ he added.
-With New Age input
