Acquitted Stevens returns to play in Bangladesh

Kalabagan Cricket Academy have signed up Darren Stevens as their overseas player for the last three rounds of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. This will be the first time the Kent allrounder will play in Bangladesh after being acquitted by a tribunal in the BPL corruption case.

Stevens, who played for Dhaka Gladiators in the first two seasons of the BPL, and five others were found innocent in February this year while Mohammad Ashraful and two Gladiators owners were punished. Stevens had been charged in 2013 for failing to report a corrupt approach during the tournament's second edition.

"I have come to play three one-day games for Kalabagan Cricket Academy," Stevens told ESPNcricinfo. "I tried to come a month ago but my NOC (No Objection Certificate) didn't get cleared. Now it has been cleared by the ECB.

"It's a happy [return]. The BPL was a great experience, we won both times. In the second year unfortunately there was a little bit of controversy with match-fixing and things like that. But it had nothing to do with me. I have got cleared of it all now, so I am really pleased to be back here and happy to be playing three games of cricket."

Stevens is not the first player cleared of the BPL corruption charge to play competitive cricket in Bangladesh. The BCB lifted the ban on Mosharraf Hossain and Mahbubul Alam in April this year, and both have been playing in the Dhaka Premier League, for Legends of Rupganj and Kalabagan Krira Chakra respectively.

Stevens also became the latest English county cricketer to be recruited in this domestic competition. So far Dawid Malan (Prime Doleshwar Sports Club), Phil Mustard (Kalabagan Cricket Academy), Joe Denly (Brothers Union), Daniel Housego (Partex Sporting Club), Mark Pettini (Kalabagan Krira Chakra), Liam Dawson (Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club), Ryan ten Doeschate and Ashar Zaidi (Legends of Rupganj) have played at various stages of the competition.

Stevens said he has spoken to a few players about the experience of playing in Bangladesh, as well as the payment situation. "I have spoken to Malan a couple of times. Joe Denly and Phil Mustard also came and played. They just said the wicket is slow, not much turn, low bounce. I will turn up tomorrow in Fatullah and deal accordingly.

"The boys who I have spoken to have been paid. No issues about it."