Mohammad Ashraful wants to emulate Misbah ul Haq after returning from ban

Having gotten the green signal to participate in selected domestic tournaments, former Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful has expressed eagerness to capitalize on the opportunity and find a pathway back to international cricket.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, the right-hander sounded grateful for being allowed to utilize BCB’s facilities upon returning from the match-fixing/spot-fixing ban that was imposed in June 2013.

However, his international suspension will expire only in 2018 by which time he would be 34. Undeterred by the long odds, the flashy stroke-player cited the example of Pakistan skipper Misbah ul Haq who is still going strong at 42.

Ashraful believed, “I want to do well in domestic cricket first and prove myself. In Bangladesh, cricketers have a hard time after they cross 30 so it will be a challenge. And I will be back after a long gap which has never happened before for a cricketer here. But I am taking up both challenges. I want to play for ten more years just like Misbah is doing at the age of 42.”

Debuting as a 17-year old, he showed signs of early promise by scoring a valiant ton during Bangladesh’s innings loss in Colombo. However, his career would go on to be influenced by inconsistency and the gloves came off during at the 2013 BPL.

Found guilty of conspiring to fix matches in the T20 league, the Dhaka-born player was handed an eight-year suspension by the tribunal. A legal appeal and an acceptance to participate in the anti-corruption program reduced the ban.

When asked about his preparation, Ashraful revealed, “I am relieved that I can play under the BCB and use their facilities. The last three years were quite tough. But I tried everything that I was allowed during this period. I trained for two years under coach Imran sir and later went back to Ankur Cricketers.”

Hoping to get a chance in the Bangladesh Cricket League, he added, “I also trained at the small ground near Banasree where I live. Before leaving for the UK, I requested Akram bhai (BCB cricket operations chairman) and Nannu bhai (chief selector Minhajul Abedin) to consider me in the BCL if possible. I know that it might be tough on their part since only the best first-class players are selected in this competition.”

When asked about the repercussions of his come back, the 32-year old claimed, “I recently saw Tamim's interview where he said they are waiting for me to return. I don't think I will generally have many problems. I confessed what I had done and I have never hurt a cricketer. There might be a comment or two when I go out to bat as people will try to get me out.”