Doubts continue to hover as Ashraful makes premature comeback

Suspended batsman Mohammad Ashraful has been allowed to take part in the country's franchise-based four-day competition - Bangladesh Cricket League, although he is yet to complete the five-year ban that runs up to August 2018. The decision taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has already raised a few eyebrows, reports Cricbuzz.

Ashraful was not allowed to take part in the same competition [BCL] last year even after the former national skipper had taken part in the National Cricket League, Bangladesh's traditional first-class competition with his three-year ban having been lifted in August 2016.

BCB had then stated that Ashraful was allowed to take part in NCL since his three-year suspension from all forms of competitive cricket was lifted in 2016 itself. However, a five-year suspension applied to his participation in franchise-based tournaments. In what was a U-turn on the same, BCB this time, has advanced the country's youngest Test centurion's participation in the BCL, although he isn't eligible as of yet.