The status of national cricketer Mohammed Ashraful is yet to be confirmed as the Bangladesh Cricket Board have not decide whether he will be able allowed to continue playing while the investigation on him is in progress.
According to ICC rules, any individual undergoing an investigation is prohibited from all kinds of cricket related activities, but BCB acting Chief Executive Officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury informed the media yesterday that Ashraful will be allowed to join the national camp starting on June 11 or 13.
“Ashraful is yet to be proven guilty. Neither ICC or BCB has taken any decision on this yet, so I think he will be allowed to participate in cricketing activities,” Nizamuddin told the media.
The statement sparked debate and curiosity in cricketing circles as the norm has been that any individual undergoing an investigation is prohibited from regular activities. Months ago, Bangladesh international umpire Nadir Shah and Sorfudoullah Ibne Shahid Saikat, who were under investigation on alleged fixing allegations, were prohibited from all cricketing activities until the investigation reached a conclusion.
However, another BCB official, Jalal Younus, who is a member of the ad-hoc committee of the cricket governing body, said Ashraful has not been cleared to join the national team camp yet, since BCB will soon decide on his status. “We will decide Ashraful’s status in next few days. As there are allegations against him, I don’t think he will be allowed to join any national duty until the investigation ends,” Jalal told the Dhaka Tribune.
