Suspended national cricketer Mohammad Ashraful’s security is a concern that has been raised by many in the past few days. Ashraful recently confessed to engaging in spot-fixing and further named several other people allegedly involved in fixing circles to an ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. The names Ashraful has given are likely to be made public when the investigation’s final report is submitted.
Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (Cwab) are one of the parties who are concerned about Ashraful. The organisation’s secretary, Debabrata Paul contacted Ashraful over the phone and has asked him to take necessary measures.
Shirajul Islam, OC, Khilgaon PS also contacted Ashraful. “He told us that he will let us know if he thinks there is need for personal security. However, we have increased the number of watch squads in his area and have assigned officers in general uniform,” said Shirajul yesterday.
Ashraful himself believes he is not in need of a security detail at the moment. “I don’t think that is necessary at the moment. There hasn’t been any issue so far and hope I will not need that, at least in Bangladesh. Our people will never harm me,” said Ashraful.
Meanwhile, Ashraful’s fans plan to form a human chain outside Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on June 9 in an effort to minimize the punishment that the cricketer will receive.
Ashraful’s fans have been active on various social media, organising the human chain demonstration and asking for mercy for the cricketer who they claim was led astray by others. They are further demanding action be taken against the owners of Dhaka Gladiators and Chittagong Kings, who they believe are the main culprits in the fixing scandal.