Dhaka, Sep 4 (bdnews24.com)—The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday indefinitely banned former national spinner Shariful Haque after spot-fixing charges against him were proved.
Shariful, who appeared to have retired from the game even though he made no formal announcement, becomes the first Bangladesh player to be banned for spot-fixing.
Dhaka Gladiators captain and Bangladesh pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had alleged that the player had approached him with the proposal of spot-fixing a day before the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) kicked off.
The board decided on the ban which took effect immediately at an emergency meeting at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, its President AHM Mustafa Kamal said.
"Shariful has been banned for an indefinite period of time after an investigation (during BPL) confirmed the allegation," Kamal said.
"During the ban, he will not be allowed to be involved in any cricketing activities in the country in any capacity... In fact, he will not be even allowed to take to the field," Kamal added.
"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."
The board chief said a sub-committee investigated allegations that Shariful Haque tried to influence the BPL.
The recommendation to ban the spinner came from a committee formed immediately after Mashrafe had raised that allegation.
The committee, headed by BCB's senior vice-president Mahbubul Anam, interviewed several individuals including Sharfiul and Mashrafe during and after the BPL.
Shariful said he was yet to be communicated by the board and that he will appeal to the BCB to reverse the decision.
"I will definitely appeal against this ban, one hundred percent," he told ESPNcricinfo immediately after the announcement was made.
"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."
In February, some newspapers reported that Mashrafe had been asked to provide information on whether he would play certain matches and even whether he would be wearing his sunglasses or cap. In exchange, he was told, he would be paid 15-20 percent of the earnings from the spot-betting.
Nicknamed Plaban, Shariful Haque played only one ODI for Bangladesh in 1998. He worked with Biman, which Mashrafe represents in the Dhaka Premier League.
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