Spot-Fixing: Former Bangladesh Cricketer Banned

Spot-Fixing: Former Bangladesh Cricketer Banned

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Former Bangladesh cricketer Shariful Haque has been banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for an indefinite period after allegations made about him by current Bangladesh fast-bowler Mashrafe Mortaza relating to spot-fixing were substantiated. Mortaza made the allegations prior to the start of the Bangladesh Premier League, claiming that he had been approached by the 36 year-old with a spot-fixing offer.

Mortaza is believed to have met with the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit in February and disclosed the name of Shariful Haque to them, but that information was not made public, despite Shariful’s name being widely circulated as the likely offender at the time.

Mustafa Kamal, the BCB chief, said of the terms of Shafiul's ban: "He will not be allowed to take part in any cricketing activities in the country in any capacity. The sub-committee investigated allegations about the cricketer who tried to influence the BPL. The indefinite ban will be applicable from today. This message will go to everybody. Nobody can make use of him. We will inform the ICC as well. We took the decision based on whatever we could substantiate on."

Shariful has said that he will appeal: "I will definitely appeal against this ban, one hundred percent. I haven't received any word on it from the cricket board, but I will defend myself and I will let everyone know about it."

Shariful is an employee of Biman, Bangladesh’s national airline, and the company which both Mortaza and Shariful have represented in the Dhaka Premier League.

An off-spinner, he played one One-Day International for Bangladesh before they were granted Full Member status by the ICC and had already unofficially retired from the game. He becomes the first player from Bangladesh to be banned for spot-fixing.

© Cricket World 2012