The Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit to submit its report on the alleged corruption in the Bangladesh Premier League after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, which would mean any day after August 12. According to BCB president Nazmul Hassan, the report will be ready within the next nine days.
He also hinted that two other players, who have been mentioned extensively in Bangladeshi newspapers ever since Mohammad Ashraful confessed to the ACSU investigative officers, could be implicated in the BPL corruption charges.
“I understand that the report will be completed by August 5,” Hassan said. “They [ACSU] wanted to submit it on August 8 or 9, but we asked them to come just after Eid, on August 12 or 13. Whatever names I have read in the paper, that is what I have been hearing unofficially. I haven’t heard of anyone of Ashraful’s stature [being implicated].”
Hassan also suggested that the ACSU could be lenient towards Ashraful because of his confession and help during the investigation. “Just like all the other cricket boards and the ICC, we also firmly believe in zero tolerance towards match-fixing. Because Ashraful has admitted to his involvement and helped the ACSU, he may get some benefit. This is strictly my opinion, I am not sure if that is what the ACSU will do.”
Ashraful has found sympathy from sections of the public, especially after he apologised in the media last month. Among his team-mates there has been a mixture of pity and commonsense, with Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim asking for exemplary punishment.
Though, later the report appeared false as he recently came to Bangladesh along with Overmyre and their daughter and attended several social functions, including one at the presidential palace. – cricinfo
