Dhaka, June 4: Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful admitted to his role in match-fixing and said he was ashamed of his involvement in corruption during the second edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Moments after he was suspended from all forms of the game by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Ashraful apologised to the nation.
BCB asked Ashraful to stay away from all cricket related activities till the International Cricket Council's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) submits its report.
"I'm offering apology to the nation and my fans. I'm very much ashamed of what I've done,” the explosive batsman was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com.
“I've wholeheartedly assisted the ICC. I've told them everything in detail. I told them about the small mistakes I've done in my decade-long career,” said Ashraful.
The 28-year-old Ashraful has previously represented Mumbai Indians in the IPL, which has been hit by a spot fixing scandal that has seen the arrest of three Rajasthan Royals players, including former India pacer S. Sreesanth. His involvement in match fixing during the BPL was unearthed by ICC's ACSU.
Ashraful, who was leading Dhaka Gladiators in the BPL, is alleged to take taken money to lose matches.
"As Ashraful has confessed his involvement in fixing to the ACSU (Anti Corruption and Security Unit) team, so he should not be allowed to play any level of cricket until we get a full report of the investigation. We aren't punishing him, but there is no scope for him to take part in any of the future competitions," BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
"I have spoken with Ashraful, he told me that he has confessed everything to the ASCU," Hassan said.
The alleged fixing took place during a match between Dhaka Gladiators and the Chittagong Kings during the second edition of the BPL. Ashraful was allegedly paid about one million taka ($12,800) to lose the match. Local media reported that the cheque bounced.
Ashraful was also allegedly involved in fixing another match 10 days later, against the Barisal Burners, which his team lost by seven wickets.
