BCB reduce Ashraful ban

mohammadashraful

The all-rounder was hit with an eight-year suspension from all forms of cricket in June following a charge of corruption by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for his involvement in match and spot-fixing in the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League.

Ashraful, who admitted his guilt, requested that his ban be shortened by the BCB disciplinary panel.

Subsequently, it has been decided that Ashraful will now serve a five-year ban back dated to August 2013, the last two of which are suspended, meaning he could return to action in August 2016.

A statement from Mohammad Abdur Rashid, chairman of the disciplinary panel of the BCB, read: "The sanction issued on 7 July 2013 is set aside.

"A period of ineligibility for five years commencing from 13 August 2013 is imposed upon the appellant with the credit that is available to him under article 6.4 of the [disciplinary] code and last two years is suspended subject to his participation in the anti-corruption education and training programme to be organized by BCB and/or ICC and would be entitled to return to cricket on or about 13 August 2016 upon production of a certificate of good conduct from ICC."

Speaking about the decision, Ashraful told espncricinfo: "I had wanted a reduction in the ban similar to what has been given to me, when I had appealed.

"I'm very happy, now I can play [sooner]. I should have been punished, yes, but I think this is good for me."

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