Bashar wary about BCB's amnesty approach

Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain and one of 13 'rebel' players slapped with a ten-year ban for joining the ICL, has said the board's amnesty offer may force those concerned to think twice. But Bashar, Bangladesh's most successful captain and highest run-scorer in Test cricket, was cautious about a swift move back to domestic cricket.

"They [the BCB] opened a window of opportunity for us. We can now see some light at the end of the tunnel," said Bashar. "We want to take the opportunity and play for the national team. If we leave the ICL, we have to sacrifice a lot of things. If we come back, what will we get in return?

"The ICL is highly lucrative compared to domestic cricket in Bangladesh."

The BCB, following the lead of the BCCI and the PCB, decided to allow those cricketers who signed up with the ICL to participate in domestic cricket, subject to the termination of their contracts with the unauthorised league by June 15. Bashar felt the decision created an opportunity for the rebel but was uncertain about the chances of it proving beneficial for all concerned.

"The most important thing is that after this decision we have got an option to make our comeback in the domestic and international cricket," he said. "I think the problem will remain because we have to terminate our contract first. Let us see everything before making any final comments.

"We had recently met to discuss what would be our approach if the 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."