Forgive me
Tearful Ashraful apologises to nation over match-fixing; BCB suspends him till ICC's anti-graft unit submits report
Ashraful breaks down in tears while talking to journalists at his Banashree residence yesterday. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
A repentant Mohammad Ashraful may have sounded the death-knell on his cricketing career when he confessed his wrongdoings over a 12-year career to the local media yesterday. Bangladesh cricket's first superstar broke his silence to beg forgiveness from his fans and the cricket-loving public barely an hour after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a temporary suspension on the cricketer who had confessed his involvement in match-fixing.
The 28-year-old had personally invited local journalists to his Banashree home, which over his career he had created with great pride and care. His home has been a well-known location for sports journalists over the years, and it was there that yesterday they waited for what everyone suspected would be unsavoury news. Ashraful met the journalists at the ground floor after a short wait, and his initial demeanour did not betray much about his inner turmoil -- he greeted everyone as he always does with 'Assalaamu Alaikum', and shook their hands as usual. Dressed in his favourite grey-white shirt, a five-o-clock shadow and his glistening eyes spoke of the turmoil he had been undergoing.
“I am guilty. Bangladesh's people loved me a lot. Many were fans. Many believed in me. And I feel guilty. I hope the country forgives me for what I have done,” said the hugely talented but enigmatic Ashraful, who was visibly trying to rein in his emotions while speaking.
Ashraful has enthralled cricket fans on many occasions during his inconsistent career, but over the last few days has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The country's sports fraternity was rocked by the revelation by a leading Bangla daily that Ashraful -- while being grilled by the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) -- confessed his involvement in match-fixing not only in the Bangladesh Premier League T20, but also in international cricket since the early days of his career. Thus opened the darkest chapter in Bangladesh sports history.
When asked why he had confessed so late, the former captain said, “ACSU never called me in the last 12 years. And so when they called me and I had done a few wrong things, I decided to tell them everything. I helped them in whatever way I could for the sake of cricket.
“I don't want to feel guilty, so I have bared all. I have made a lot of mistakes in my 12-year career, and for the sake of cricket, I have decided to tell everyone the truth. But apart from this I have always wanted to perform well in cricket,” he continued.
He was however not willing to disclose the details of his confession regarding the involvement of other cricketers and fixing in international cricket. “I can't say anything regarding the former cricketers. I have told everything to the ACSU. I can't say anything to the media now. I haven't given any such information to any daily. I had spoken to someone I considered a big brother, and he betrayed me.”
The under-fire cricketer finally broke down when answering a question about whether he would miss cricket, especially after returning to form this year.
“Obviously, I batted very well this year…,” his voice trailed off as he started crying and immediately left the scene, leaving millions of his fans feeling betrayed and cheated by their beloved hero.
Ashraful started his career on the brightest of notes by making a hundred on Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2001, becoming the youngest Test centurion in the process. He played 61 Tests and captained the national side in 13 Test matches, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is between 2007 and 2009. During a career which extended from 2001 to 2013, he scored 2,737 runs in Test matches at an average of 24. He has also played 177 ODIs and scored 3,468 runs at an average of 22.23 but in the month of June 2013 his all cricketing statistics took the backseat.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon was not willing to give the final verdict on Ashraful's future before receiving the full reports from the ACSU. “Because Ashraful has confessed, I think he will not be able to participate in cricket-related activities. Ashraful told me personally that he confessed, and ACSU has also said that he confessed. From what I know he has confessed regarding BPL and because he has done that, we will keep him away from cricket. But I still don't know if there's enough evidence or not; we will come to know after the report."
So the legal wrangling may go and on, but with the public confession from Ashraful himself, it is now beyond doubt that the once-loved batsman will go down as a villain in Bangladesh's cricket history.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments