Mohammad Ashraful's domestic ban to be lifted

Tainted Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful's ban from professional cricket will be lifted on August 13. However, it will only be partially revoking of the ban and the batsman can then start playing domestic cricket in Bangladesh.

Ashraful, who was suspended for being involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing during the 2013 season of the Bangladesh Premier League will only be able to resume playing International cricket from 2018.

Ashraful's who was initially sentenced to an eight-year ban, had the sentenced reduced in 2014 to five years. Apart from this, his two years suspension was subject to his partaking in a BCB or ICC anti-corruption education and training programme. The former skipper took part in these programmes during the 2015 BPL, and also appeared in many videos which were aimed at spreading awareness.

Accordingly, a BCB press release which was released in September 2014 said: "upon production of a certificate of good conduct from the ICC, he will be eligible to return to cricket on or about August 13, 2016".

Thus once the ICC issues this certificate, Ashraful will be deemed eligible to take part in first-class domestic cricket in Bangladesh, as well as non-first-class domestic cricket in other ICC members' jurisdictions from August 13.

Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB chief executive said that the board was still seeking further clarification from the ICC on the nature of tournament Ashraful can participate.

"We have sent a letter to the ICC regarding Ashraful's issue and we will get to know about the details by Sunday. There are a few aspects which we need to know", the BCB chief executive answered when asked if Ashraful could play in franchise-based domestic tournaments in Bangladesh.

The former Bangladesh skipper was suspended the day he pleaded guilty, during May 2014. He was found to be involved in fixing two matches during the Bangladesh Premier League.

Along with Ashraful, Dhaka Gladiators' managing director Shihab Chowdhury was barred for ten years, former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent was banned for three years and Sri Lanka batsman Kaushal Lokuarachchi received an 18-month ban.