Cricketers' answer

Following is the 31 cricketers' identical response in its entirety to the showcause notice issued by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday.

The statement was written yesterday.

Sir, the reply to the showcause notice is as follows:

1. - On or about 5th November 1999 I with some of my other team colleagues under the banner of Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) had a meeting with the relevant authority of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding an essential issue of changing the transfer period of the players. Furthermore I with my other colleagues had a number of meeting with the BCB on several occasions with a aim to resolve the said matter.

2. - Since the issue of transfer period is the key element of every players livelihood I gave the matter utmost importance and tried my best to resolve the said matter as soon as possible. It was understood by me that since I was going through such a mental trauma as the issue of the transfer period was still not resolved, I should refrain myself from participating in any Cricket match as I would have failed to provide my best effort to perform.

3. - Moreover the mere fact that the seven players which included: Minhazul Abedin Nannu, Aminul Islam Bulbul, Enamul Hoque Moni, Faruque Ahmed, Mahabubur Rahman Selim, Khaled Mahamud Sujon and Mohammed Rafiq were orally informed that they could not be a party to the transfer process which was to be held on 6th January, 2000 unless the report of the inquiry committee of BCB is published. Such a news was shocking for all of was since there is a presumption that every person is to be treated innocent unless proved to be guilty.

4. - It is also important to note that while we were having negotiations with the BCB regarding the date of transfer period the seven players (against whom the committee was working) participated in a number of National League matches for the greater interest of the country.

5. - The fact that I decided not to participate in one match of MCC was not a isolated happening. There was negotiation in process between CWAB and BCB and under those circumstances it was not possible for me to participate when it was called for.

6. - Under no circumstances I had the requisite intention or malice whatsoever to undermine the national interest of the country by not participating in the MCC matches and it was quite unfortunate that the MCC match was scheduled on such a period when I was still suffering from a substantial amount of mental stress.

7. - It is my greatest pride and honour to represent Bangladesh in any form of cricket (domestic or international) and I assure that in future I will participate in any form of cricket (domestic and international) if my participation is called for.