Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, who is arguably the finest all-rounder in the cricketing spectrum at present, dealt with a bitter blow on Tuesday as the International Cricket Council handed him a 2-year suspension for not sharing details with the Anti-Corruption Unit on being approached by a bookmaker. Shakib has urged the cricketing fraternity for support while admitting being at fault in the case.
“Those who have supported me over the years I hope they, the fans, Bangladesh Cricket Board, the government, the journalists will continue to support me in my bad and good time,” Shakib told reporters in Dhaka soon after being sanctioned.
“If you continue your support, I am hopeful I will come back to cricket soon. I will be stronger and will perform my responsibilities with more sincerity,” he said.
Practically, Shakib will only be serving a one-year ban as the other year is a suspended sanction. He will hence be available for selection again from October 29, 2020 although the ICC would need to be satisfied with the fulfilled conditions of the suspended ban in order to let the cricketer resume on-field responsibilities after 12 months.
The ban will not see Shakib participate in the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia which has been scheduled from October 8 to November 15.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) admitted that they didn’t have a clue of the ICC investigation into the matter but have come out in support of their player for the attitude he has shown towards the apex body’s decision.
“While the BCB is shocked and extremely disappointed that an experienced player like Shakib had failed to report a corrupt approach on three occasions, at the same time we are pleased that he has cooperated fully with the ICC ACU and has pledged his commitment to its education programme,” BCB president Nazmul Hassan said in a statement.
“We hope he will come back as a better and wiser cricketer and serve Bangladesh for many more years when his sanction will be over. During the suspension the BCB will continue to support his efforts at returning to cricket,” he added.
