Ashraful's confessions

CRICKET fans and spectators were jolted by cricketer Ashraful's baring his connivance in match fixing over a generally noteworthy 12-year career in cricket. Though we are appreciative of the fact that he came clean when grilled by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of the International Cricket Council, we are nonetheless appalled at the sordid revelation. Here is a man who created history with his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2001 as the youngest centurion. But he no longer can claim to be a role model among younger generations, if the allegations against him are proven through an inquest.

Here he stands with his fame in tatters and the game somewhat tarnished. The game known as the "gentleman's game" and a symbol of fair-play has been brought to disrepute. A series of scandals have hit the game as in India's IPL and some Pakistani cricketers' wrongdoing in England in terms of fixing matches.

It will be a sadder day for Bangladesh cricket, should another cricketer have allowed himself to be seduced by quick money, a vice that apparently has permeated of our society at large. But this should not exonerate the practitioners of cricket who have taken upon themselves the role of playing an essentially clean game. The placing of temporary ban by Bangladesh Cricket Board on Ashraful is a step in the right direction, but the board must get to the bottom of the issues of integrity in the sport. Standards of exemplary performance and behaviour must be established and enforced to keep cricket unblemished.