BCB did the right thing (Thanks to ICC). Now it's time to see how the ICl players react.
Talking Points:
- ICL players will have to negate contract with ICL by June 15
- They will be eligible to play Domectic cricket RIGHT AWAY after they make the formal request from BCB.
- They will be up for National consideration AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2009. Only a 7 month cooling period.
- Those who who do cancel their contract with ICL will continue to serve their 10 year ban
Concern from ICL players are:
- Obviously - BACKLASH from BCB despite the public announcement
- ICL contract is one-sided?
From The Daily Star -
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig....php?nid=87528
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced 'amnesty' for the players who signed with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) following the guideline of International Cricket Council (ICC) about the players of the unauthorised tournament.
BCB's board of directors, in a marathon meeting on Saturday in Mirpur, has decided to allow Bangladeshi cricketers under contract with the ICL to participate in domestic cricket subjected to their termination of the contract with the unapproved competition by June 15 this year.
BCB imposed a ban on thirteen rebel cricketers in September last year including six contracted players who signed for the ICL under the banner 'Dhaka Warriors' which closed the domestic and international doors for players like former national skipper Habibul Bashar, Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed, Dhiman Ghosh and Alok Kapali.
"The players who will terminate the contract have to formally apply to the BCB for permission for making themselves available for the forthcoming domestic season. However, the players will not be considered for selection in any international match until December 31, 2009," said BCB's spokesman and media committee chairman Jalal Yunus.
The board also warned that the earlier ten-year ban imposed by the board in it's emergency meeting on September 17 last year will remain in effect for the ICL contracted cricketers who fail to terminate their contract by their timeframe.
BCB took the decision following ICC's directive in regards to the players of the unauthorised tournament which was recently endorsed by the Indian board who also announced the amnesty.
In his instant reaction Bashar said that the decision has opened a door for the rebel cricketers but he was not sure whether BCB's approach ultimately would be fruitful.
"The most important thing is that after this decision we have got an option to make our comeback in the domestic and international cricket. But I think the problem will remain because we have to terminate our contract first. Let us see everything before making any final comments," said Bashar.
"We had recently met to discuss what would be our approach if BCB announced amnesty like the Indian board and what we decided is that one can take his own decision. But first of all we have to look at the ICL contract. I know that the contract we have with the ICL is pretty much one-way," he added.
The rebel cricketers has been also worried with their fate with the BCB if they ultimately scrap the contract but BCB director Yunus found no reason to be worried with the future.
"I think BCB already showed that they are liberal enough because we recommended only a six-month cooling period for the cricketers. And since we made a public statement, there is no way they can think like that. If someone fulfils the requirement he will definitely be considered for the international cricket," assured Yunus.