The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) lifted the ban imposed on cricketers Mosharraf Rubel and Mahbubul Alam from playing in the domestic circuit yesterday. The BCB made the decision after examining the legal aspects.
Both Rubel and Mahbubul were charged of their involvement in match-fixing in the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (Acsu). The BCB later formed a tribunal to conduct hearing of the nine individuals accused by the Acsu from BPL 2. The tribunal after conducting the hearings acquitted six, which included Mahbubul and Rubel, from all charges in the short judgment.
But the BCB was dilly-dallying with the clearance off the duo to take part into the domestic cricket despite them submitting an application to board with attached copy of the short verdict from the tribunal.
The BCB in their explanation said they were waiting for the full verdict of the tribunal and scrutinised the ins and outs of lifting their ban for the time being.
“Rubel and Mahbubul can participate in all tournaments from now on for the time being,” BCB’s acting CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said to the media yesterday.
However, the BCB high-up didn’t explain what he meant by saying, “for the time being”.
It was learnt from a BCB source, the ban is likely to be imposed on the cricketers again if the ICC and BCB appeals on the tribunal’s judgment.
“We were waiting for the legal opinions of ICC which also opined in favour of them to be involved in all cricket,” he added.
“We expected that the final verdict will be given in short period but from what we’ve felt that the full verdict may be delayed. So we’ve scrutinized the ins and outs of the legal aspects and took advice from the ICC legal experts, so we decided to lift their suspension for the time being,” explained the BCB acting CEO.
Both Mahbubul and Rubel were denied from earnings from cricket after they were accused by the ICC. This includes the remuneration from the BPL 2 and also the 2012-13 season of the Dhaka Premier League which the BCB is supposed to pay. Nizamuddin could not clear when their payment issue would be solved.
“Our first priority was to lift their ban which we did. Hopefully the rest of the matter will be solved gradually,” said Nizamuddin.
The withdrawal of the suspension meant Rubel and Mahbubul now has no restriction from playing in the last phase of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) scheduled to start on May 4.
“It’s a matter of joy to be proved not guilty. I did not make any offence so I was confident that I will be proved innocent. At the same time, I was also hopeful that the BCB will permit me to play and therefore I continued gym, running and practice so that I can keep myself fit,” said Rubel.
Mahbubul informed that he learnt of the lift of ban after the BCB acting CEO called him over phone. However, he informed of not playing the BCL matches as there is no spot for a pacer in the team this season.
“I have lost a year. Now I’ve to start fresh and I am confident. My experience was also enhanced after facing such sort of nightmare,” said Mahbubul.
Along with Rubel and Mahbubul, former national cricket Mohammad Rafique was also cleared of all corruption charges.
Dhaka Gladiators co-owner, Shihab Chowdhury was found guilty “for being a party to an effort to fix the Chittagong match (February 2)”.
Also cleared of the charges were English cricketer Darren Stevens, Gladiators owner Salim Chowdhury, CEO Gaurav Rawat.
The fate of the other individuals who have admitted of their involvement – Mohammad Ashraful and Kaushal Lokuarachchi – is expected to be known after the Tribunal gives its full verdict.
