Shakib Al Hasan banned for failing to report bookie’s approaches

After a day of rumours, International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Bangladesh captain and world No.1 ODI all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned for two years (one year suspended) for failing to report corrupt approaches on three occasions.

Shakib ul Hasan has accepted the punishment.

“I am obviously extremely sad to have been banned from the game I love, but I completely accept my sanction for not reporting the approaches. The ICC ACU is reliant on players to play a central part in the fight against corruption and I didn’t do my duty in this instance.

“Like the majority of players and fans around the world, I want cricket to be a corruption-free sport and I am looking forward to working with the ICC ACU team to support their education programme and ensure young players don’t make the same mistake I did.”

As per ICC’s anti-corruption code, cricketers have to report any approach for corruption without unnecessary delay. This is covered under the 2.4.4 of the ACU code. As per the released details the Shakib had failed to report approaches twice during the tri-series between Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and once in relation to the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Kings XI Punjab in 2018 IPL.

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One year of Shakib’s ban is suspended hence, he can return to professional cricket in twelve month’s time provided he satisfies the conditions laid down by the ICC.

This comes days after the BCB and the Bangladeshi players were at loggerheads with their own board under the leadership of Shakib ul Hasan. They announced an eventually short-lived strike from sporting activity until their 11-demands were accepted. BCB directors met with the players and promised to work on their demands and the players had withdrawn from the strike call.

Nazmul Hassan Papon, the BCB chairman who has been running the cricket with an iron fist during his tenure was reportedly enraged by the attitude of the players.