Following Bangladesh all-rounder Mashrafe Mortaza's startling revelation that an unnamed player made a spot fixing approach to him ahead of his franchise Dhaka Gladiators' first match of the newly-launched Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the cricketer was made to appear before a host of officials for a formal hearing yesterday.


Mashrafe Mortaza

At the hearing, Mortaza disclosed that the approach was made by a former Bangladesh player, who represented the country only in one-day internationals. "A hearing was called to record Mashrafe's statement. He has revealed the name of the cricketer, but we cannot do the same as the matter is under probe. I can confirm that he is a former Bangladesh ODI player though he wasn't a big name in Bangladeshi cricket," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman Jalal Yunus told MiD DAY from Dhaka yesterday.

The accused player had asked Mortaza to throw light on how many matches he would play and even whether he would be wearing his sunglasses or cap while fielding. In return, Mortaza was assured to be paid 15-20 per cent from the spot fixing proceeds.

"The officials included the match referee, a security official and the BPL governing committee chairman. In front of all of them he disclosed the name and we have already brought it to the notice of International Cricket Council (ICC). Anyone found guilty in the matter will not be spared," stressed Yunus.

"We are supposed to form a panel on Sunday to look into the matter independently as it is a matter of great concern," he said.u00a0Asked about BCB's stance on the issue, Yunus straightaway pointed to their policy. "There is absolutely zero-tolerance on these matters. We will probe and nail the culprits at the earliest. We are in constant touch with ICC to keep them posted about any developments," Yunus stated.