BPL fixing: Ashraful banned for eight years

The Dhaka Times Desk Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Mohammad Ashraful has been fined eight years and ten lakh taka from all forms of cricket for his involvement in spot-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Meanwhile, Dhaka Gladiators managing director Shihab Chowdhury has been banned for ten years and fined Tk 20 lakh. In addition, Sri Lanka's Kaushal Lukuarachi was banned for one-and-a-half years and Lou Vincent was banned for 3 years after being found guilty by the tribunal.

Ten days after the announcement of the verdict, the final punishment period of the accused was announced in the tribunal formed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) at Gulshan-2 on Wednesday at 3 pm.

বিচারপতি আব্দুর রশিদ রায় ঘোষণার পর জানান অভিযুক্তরা রায়ের বিরুদ্ধে আপিল করতে পারবেন ১৫ দিনের মাঝে। তিনি আরও বলেন, “বিচারের বিষয়ে আইসিসি এবং আকসু আবেদন করেছিলো ফলে তাদের এখন রায় বাস্তবায়ন এবং আন্তর্জাতিক খেলোয়াড়দের বিষয়ে সিদ্ধান্ত নিতে হবে।

Speaking to Ashraful, it is learned that he will appeal against the verdict and will sit down with his lawyer to take the next decision once he gets the necessary documents.

It is learned that Ashraful has been banned for 8 years on four charges separately. But he will suffer this punishment together. Besides, if the BCB and ICC are satisfied with his conduct during the suspension and he applies, he can be brought back to cricket.

Earlier, the spot fixing verdict was announced on June 8. A copy of the judgment was sent to the concerned at 4 pm that day.

Ashraful said, "Since I committed the crime, I have to suffer the punishment, but I want to return to the game for my fans and the country once again." Learn from me and no other player will fall into such a trap.

Former national team left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafiq, left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain and pacer Mahbubul Alam were found innocent in the summary judgment announced on February 26. Dhaka Gladiators Chairman Salim Chowdhury and Chief Executive Officer Gaurav Rawad and England cricketer Darren Stevens were also found innocent.

It should be noted that BCB appointed Supreme Court Justice Abdur Rashid as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel on October 14. He appointed 10 members of the disciplinary panel as per the rules. On November 10, the chairman of the panel convened the former judge Khademul Islam Chowdhury and constituted a three-member anti-corruption tribunal. Two members are Azmamul Hossain QC and former cricketer Shakil Kasem.