Bangladesh cricketer Mohammed Ashraful banned for 8 years on corruption charges

Mohammed Ashraful has been banned for 8 years for fixing

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammed Ashraful has been banned for eight years after he was found guilty of match-fixing.

“He was found guilty on all four charges and is banned from cricket for eight years," said Khademul Islam Chowdhury, who led a special panel set up by the Bangladesh board to investigate match-fixing allegations.

"In addition, he will have to pay a fine of one million taka ($12,820)," Chowdhury, a former high court judge, told reporters.

New Zealand discard Lou Vincent and Sri Lankan player Kaushal Lokuarachchi have also been banned for 3 years and 18 months respectively for failing to inform the authorities that they had been approached to fix matches.

Shihab Jishan Chowdhury, the owner of Dhaka Gladiators, also has been banned for 10 years for aiding Ashraful who was also a part of the team in fixing matches. Chowdhury will also have to pay a fine of two million taka.

The charges against the four were brought in accordance with the ICC's (International Cricket Council) anti-corruption code," Shakil Kasem, one of the three-member tribunals which handed down the sentences told AFP.

"As a result, during the ban period, they'll be barred from playing and all sorts of cricketing activities anywhere in the world"added Kasem.

Mohammed Ashraful, last May had admitted fixing matches during the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League.

Lou Vincent who is also at the centre of controversy regarding fixing of matches in India and England was part of the Khulna Royals in the BPL. He has also represented the Black Caps in 23 Tests and 109 one-day internationals while Kaushal Lokuarachchi has played four Tests and 21 one-dayers for Sri Lanka.