BCB allows ex-ICL players back to domestic cricket

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to allow those who were associated with the ICL to participate in domestic cricket. However, the players will have to see through a cooling-off period, which ends on December 31, before they can be eligible for national selection.

The move follows the granting of amnesty to 14 'rebel' cricketers on May 9 this year on condition they ended their contracts with the unauthorised league. Subsequently, the cricketers severed their ties with the ICL.

The development took place in the immediate aftermath of the BCCI granting amnesty to 79 Indian players who had ended their association with the league.

"The 14 cricketers who were under contract with the ICL formally applied to the BCB within the deadline seeking permission to return to domestic cricket," a board statement said. "They also submitted the necessary documents to confirm that they have terminated their contract with the ICL.

"As they have fulfilled the requirements to avail the amnesty the BCB therefore recognises that these players are eligible to participate in all forms of domestic cricket with effect from 16 June 2009."

The Bangladesh players who have returned to the official fold are: Aftab Ahmed, Alok Kapali, Dhiman Ghosh, Farhad Reza, Golam Mabud, Mahbubul Karim, Manjural Islam, Mohammad Rafique, Mohammad Sharif, Mosharraf Hossain, Nazimuddin, Shahriar Nafees and Tapash Baisya.