Shakib Al Hasan Could Face Ban for 18 Months: Reports

Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been kept away from the practice before their tour to India as per ICC’s instructions. As the local media reported while claiming that the he is going to be banned for not reporting an incident related to corruption that took place a couple of years ago. Shakib, who is also the captain of Test and T20 team, however, could be banned for 18 months by the International Cricket Council ahead of the series comprising three T20 Internationals and two Tests, starts from November 3.

As per the country’s leading bengali daily ‘Samakal’, “It was on nsistence of ICC that Shakib has been kept away from practice by the BCB. That’s the reason he neither featured in the practice games nor did he join the meeting late on Monday evening with the president to discuss pink ball Test.”

Although, the ICC has denied from giving any comment in this matter as of now. However, two years ago, the daily revealed, Shakib Al Hasan received an offer from a bookie ahead of an international match, which he did not report at that time to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). Even as per the newspaper, he has also confessed about the incident to the ACSU’s investigating officers recently.

With this, there is a question mark over his availability for the upcoming series against India. He even missed the pre-tour camp which included a practice game, in Mirpur. The Bangladesh team is all set to leave for India on Wednesday and Shakib Al Hasan is reportedly not going to travel with them. In his absence, Mushfiqur Rahim might be named the captain of the team in Tests while either Mahmudullah Riyadh or Mosaddek Hossain can be the captain of the three T20 International games.

However, recenly newly-elected BCCI president Sourav Ganguly proposed a day-night Test with pink ball at the Eden Gardens which BCB is yet to response. However, India captain Virat Kohli has shown his interest on this format.

Bangladesh will begin their campaign with the three T20Is which will start from November 3, before travelling to Indore to start their ICC World Test Championship campaign from November 14. The second Test match will be played at Eden Gardens from November 22.

As far as Shakib Al Hasan is concerned, he was recently involved in the strike along with other players. They started the strike because of their unfulfilled demand.However, they called it off after the board promised them to fulfill their demands which included a pay hike as well.