Published: Feb 24, 2016, 05:15 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 24, 2016, 05:43 PM (IST)
Mohammad Ashraful and Mohammad Aamer have a lot of things in common. Both burst into the international stage at the age of 17 but both were involved in spot-fixing and match-fixing. Ashraul was alleged of fixing the match in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), while Aamer was involved of match-fixing in During Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. But the former Bangladesh skipper believes that his comebeack will be tougher than that of Aamer’s as he is much older. Amir is young but I’ll turn 32. I can still dream of playing for Bangladesh because I am a batsman. But I know it will be very tough,” he conceded. READ: Mohammad Ashraful admits to match-fixing in Sri Lanka Premier League
Ashraful points out at the difference between his and Aamer’s scenario. “He did it [accepted charges] after the tribunal had given its verdict. I had confessed at the first stage. When I faced the investigators for the first time, I realized I would only get into further trouble if I lied. I didn’t do it for money . I feared being dropped as I had scored just 110 runs in 11 domestic matches. They [the bookies] exploited this vulnerability . Yes, I am guilty and I have committed a crime,” as reported by cricbuzz.com. READ: Mohammad Ashraful’s ban reduced to 5 years by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
Ashraful however understands how difficult it is to make a comeback after seeing and reading about how difficult it was for Aamer. “I have read about how Amir has struggled.I can’t guarantee that won’t happen to me. But what I gather is that after confessing, I feel people have started respecting me more. I will be allowed to play just domestic cricket for three years and I believe that will help me prove that I am clean.
