Dhaka: Former Bangladesh captain Mohammed Ashraful, on Tuesday, apologised after admitting to fixing matches, adding another sordid chapter to the spot-fixing saga which has already rocked Indian cricket.
“I apologise to the entire nation, to all my fans and friends. I am guilty about everything. I have disappointed my fans,” Ashraful told reporters at his residence as he confessed his involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League.
“I would only plead that you all forgive me for my wrongdoings against the nation and myself... Please do forgive me,” Ashraful said.
Ashraful broke down when asked if he regretted his actions at this phase of his career. “Obviously, I am feeling very bad... Please pray for me,” he said.
Bangladesh Cricket Board had already ordered Ashraful to temporarily stay away from cricketing activities till the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU)’s investigation into the alleged match and spot fixing scandal in the BPL is completed.
“As Ashraful has confessed his involvement in fixing to the ACSU team, so he should not be allowed to play any level of cricket until we get a full report of the investigation,” Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said.
The ACSU has been probing allegations of match-fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League.
The 28-year-old Ashraful was allegedly paid about one million taka ($12,800) to lose the February 2 match between Dhaka Gladiators and Chittagong Kings.
He was also allegedly involved in fixing another match 10 days later, against the Barisal Burners, which his team lost by seven wickets, the reports said.
“I made a mistake. This was the first time in my career that the ICC anti-corruption unit called on me. I did some bad things and I admitted to doing them. I am trying to help them for the sake of cricket,” he said.
“After coming back from Zimbabwe, when they asked me, I told them what I had done. I didn’t want to keep feeling guilty, so I told them whatever I did wrong. I made a couple of mistakes, but otherwise I was honest to the cause of playing for Bangladesh.”
Speaking what punishment will be met out to Ashraful, Hassan said: “I’ll ask the press to be patient and wait for some more days. Those who were involved in spot-fixing will have to be given exemplary punishment,” Hassan said. “Otherwise you all know where Bangladesh’s cricket will end up,” he added.
Ashraful played in 61 Test matches and amassed 2737 runs for an average of 24. He scored six centuries during his Test career which spanned from 2001 to 2013. In ODIs, Ashraful managed 3468 runs in 177 matches for an average of 22.23. (agencies)
