APL to become Ashraful's route to comeback?
||CF Correspondent||
Former Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful is eyeing to make a comeback through the upcoming Afghanistan Premier League [APL].
The franchise-based T20 tournament is expected to be played in the UAE from October 5 to 23. The inaugural edition of APL will include both Afghan and foreign players and the talented batsman is expected to be in the draft for the five-team competition.
Ashraful, who was touted as the ‘biggest thing’ in Bangladesh cricket, was slapped with a five-year ban from all forms of cricket following his involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing in the 2013 edition of the BPL. Having served his time off the field, Ashraful sets his eye for a platform to make a statement of his own.
“I am looking forward to take part in the APL if any team chooses to pick me from the draft. I am expected to be placed in the draft,” said Ashraful while attending a program organized by local fan celebrating two-year of their journey.
“If I can manage to get a team it will be exciting for me as the platform will help me to answer lot of questions lot of question that is raised regarding my fitness and form in the recent times,” he added.
The 34-year-old was initially slapped with an eight-year ban by a special anti-corruption tribunal set up by the board in July 2014 for his involvement in match and spot-fixing in BPL 2013.
A one-member appeal panel had then reduced his ban to five years, with the last two years to be reprieved upon producing a certificate of good conduct from the ICC through participation in the 'anti-corruption education and training program'. His ban was partially lifted in 2016, allowing the right-hander to play in the domestic leagues.
