Mohammad Ashraful's childhood coach fears he might not be accepted in the national team

Mohammad Ashraful, one of the finest batsmen that Bangladesh has ever produced is now eligible to be selected for the national team once again. The five-year ban, that was imposed on him by an independent tribunal for his involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) back in 2013, has come to an end.

Ashraful has already expressed his desire to play for the national side again, but, his childhood coach Wahedul Goni thinks he should enjoy his natural game like he did before rather than thinking about a quick national comeback.

“Ashraful was far away from the process of international cricket for a long time. He needs to achieve the fitness of an international cricketer before thinking about national call. For now, my advice to him is to enjoy his natural game in domestic cricket rather than hoping a quick national comeback. If he does it accurately, he might achieve his goal one day,” Goni, who was Ashraful’s mentor in his early cricketing days, told to media in an interview recently.

Despite the fact that his ban is lifted, it is not easy for the cricketer to make a swift return to the national team. The 34-year-old has to perform in domestic cricket a lot better than his competitors who are in line for a spot in the national side, and those who have already cemented their places in the team.

Wahedul thinks, if Ashraful concentrates only on playing international cricket, his natural game could be ruined and his comeback depends on the policy Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) opts for as well.

He further said, “Ashraful should enjoy his cricket. If he concentrates more on just national comeback, his game might be affected. And as I think, his comeback does not rely only on his game but on policy of BCB too.”

Fear of rejection by the team

To perform well in the domestic circuit or to get a green signal from BCB is not everything for Ashraful to get back in the senior side. There is also a fear of rejection in the current national team who would be reluctant to accept Ashraful keeping in mind his fixing involvement that has tarnished his image. We’d seen that when Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Amir returned to the national team after completing his ban for his involvement in spot-fixing. A number senior Pakistani players disagreed to his inclusion in the national team.

According to Wahedul, that kind of scenario cannot be ignored in Bangladesh as well.

“Yes, there is a fear of disunity in the national team about the come back of a cricketer who was punished for corruption. But, as I said, if BCB policy allows to consider him for national team, he might get another chance.”

~ Written by Saif Hasnat

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