I want to be a trendsetter: Ashraful
File Photo
||CF Correspondent||
Disgraced Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful said that he wants to be a trendsetter as far as returning back to the national team is concerned. Ashraful’s five-year ban for his involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2013 edition officially came to an end on August 13.
“It is true that in our country after the retirement of [Habibul Bashar] Sumon and [Mohammad] Rafique there is hardly any instance of players playing at 37 or 38 years of age. But I want to be a trendsetter,” said Ashraful.
On Tuesday [September 4], Ashraful attended a public function for the first time since being eligible to play everywhere once again. He said that he is not in a hurry, but he firmly believes he can make a comeback.
“Mashrafe is still playing and that is very inspiring. If the batsmen cannot make a comeback it is because they are unable to perform extraordinarily,” he said.
“I have spoken with BCB president Nazmul Hasan and the BCB chief executive and they assured me that the door of the national team is open for me if I can perform.
“All I have to do is perform,” he added.
The right-handed batsman is quite aware of the competition that is required for him to enter the national team’s dressing room but his determination looks to be even stronger, especially after chief selector Minhajul Abedin made a statement regarding his comeback.
“At the moment there is no place for him in the national team,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told reporters at Mirpur on August 12, hours after Ashraful told local media that he still believes he can make a comeback to the national side.
“We maintain high standards [of] fitness for the national team, along with high performance and Bangladesh A team. To attain that level of fitness he needs to be given some time and only if he achieves it, we can think about him. But, as off now, we are not thinking about him anywhere,” Abedin added.
