Here's why Sheikh Hasina has lent support to Shakib
The cricketing fraternity was in shock when Bangladesh's Test and T20I captain, Shakib Al Hasan, was banned for two years by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his failure to report an approach by a bookie. While Shakib will be out of action for a year at least, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has lent her support to the all-rounder. Here are the details.
"It's clear that Shakib has made a mistake and he's realized that. There's nothing much the government can do about the ICC's decision, but BCB will stand by him," said PM Hasina to bdnews24.com.
As reported earlier, the ICC has banned Shakib from all cricket for two years with one year of that suspended. This comes to light after he accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Shakib failed to report approaches from bookies on numerous occasions. As a result, the all-rounder will not be able to resume playing international cricket before October 29, 2020.
Meanwhile, following the ban, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hoped that Shakib would make his return as a 'better and wiser cricketer', besides serving Bangladesh cricket for many more years. "During the suspension, the BCB will continue to support his efforts at returning to cricket. The BCB respects the ICC's decision and shares similar sentiments against corruption in cricket," said BCB in a statement.
Shakib has been under the scanner of late. Ahead of the T20I series against India, Shakib was issued a show-cause notice after the southpaw struck a deal with a telecom company, violating the terms and conditions of the board. BCB chief Nazmul Hassan had said that they will take strict action if Shakib is unable to provide a satisfactory reply. However, the stance changed.
Meanwhile, following the ban, the BCB has decided to make Mominul Haque as the captain of the Test team. He would be leading the side in the upcoming two-Test series against India, starting November 14, including their first-ever day-night Test on November 22. Meanwhile, Mahmudullah would lead them in the three T20Is, starting November 3.
T20Is: Mahmudullah (captain), Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper), Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Taijul Islam, Abu Hider. Tests: Shadman Islam, Imrul Kayes, Saif Hassan, Mominul (captain), Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain, Abu Jayed, Ebadat Hossain.
