Former Bangladeshi skipper Mohammad Ashraful wants to use BPL as a ticket to the national team

Match-fixing allegations not only rob a player off some crucial years of cricket but also respect and integrity. Whether it is S Sreesanth of India or Mohammad Amir of Pakistan, serious allegations of match-fixing stripped them of their integrity. However, the latter has made a great comeback after serving his ban and has become a fan’s favorite, and former Bangladeshi skipper Mohammad Ashraful wants to follow the same path.

Things were going smoothly for the Dhaka lad until the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League when his name was involved in a match-fixing scandal. Consequently, he was handed a five-year ban from cricket. Now, half a decade later, BPL franchise Chittagong Vikings have given the 34-year-old a chance to redeem himself in a big platform that features many international superstars.

Though no franchises were interested in the veteran cricketer initially, Vikings decided to add some experience to their squad. “Earlier we had picked Mohammad Amir once he was eligible to play after that fixing saga, and he returned to the national set-up. We believe the same will happen to Ashraful as well,” said the owner of Chittagong Vikings Abdul Wahed, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

On his selection, the player who has played over 250 matches for his nation said “I have faced the punishment for my guilt and was out of this format for five years and nine months. I have admitted my mistake and received the punishment and also played domestic cricket in the last two years. My fans are also waiting for me to play well and wondering whether I will be able to make a return.”

“I will try to play well in the BPL for them, at the same time I will look to make a comeback for our cricket (into the national squad). It’s true that I want to wear the jersey of the Bangladesh team again and it’s a huge platform. I have struck five hundreds in the Dhaka League but nobody has seen it,” he further added.

Ashraful is wary of the challenge

Though he is confident of making a grand comeback, Ashraful is wary of the challenge that lies before him, for many well-known cricketers play in the BPL. Speaking about it, the owner of nine international tons said “Obviously, it will be challenging, it’s an international standard tournament and it will count if you play well. As I have the experience of playing 13 years in international cricket, the first two editions of the BPL and also as part of the champion side, I will try to give my best Chittagong Vikings.”

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