Decision on Shakib appeal in mid Aug
A decision on all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's appeal to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to reconsider the six-month ban slapped on him by the BCB will be taken on August 15, informed BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon yesterday.
While Papon has the authority to take a unilateral decision on the issue, he told reporters yesterday that he wants to speak to all the members of the board and take a collective decision.
“After he (Shakib) appealed to the board, we noticed that his response and behaviour was positive. But this is a big issue and I want to involve all the board directors in this matter. The decision might be taken either on August 15 or 16,” said Papon.
“If he is permitted to take part in the series against Zimbabwe (in October) he can take part in the Dhaka Premier League as well,” Papon replied when asked if the all-rounder could play in the 50-over domestic league that is scheduled to begin in October.
The president, despite sounding positive on Shakib's appeal, did not clearly state what the board's decision would be. A number of BCB directors however told The Daily Star that a majority of the board are against shortening Shakib's punishment.
Some of them reckon that the president is likely to allow Shakib to play in the series against Zimbabwe in October. It was also learnt that national coach Chandika Hathurusingha also wants Shakib to return for the Zimbabwe series. A board director also added that they were unlikely to change their stance on the 18-month ban on No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in foreign leagues to Shakib.
After a board meeting on July 3, the board slapped the ace all-rounder with a six-moth ban from all cricket and decided against issuing him NOCs for foreign tournaments for 18 months because of disciplinary indiscretions.
The left-hander had gotten himself involved in a series of disciplinary issues in the last two months and according to BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon, the suspension was a result of all the events combined.
The breaking point, however, was when the board learned through a letter from coach Chandika Hathurasingha that the 27-year-old, after an argument with the coach before leaving for the West Indies, had threatened to quit ODI and Test cricket.
On a different note the president stated that the Dhaka Premier League this year will witness wickets which have pace and bounce in order to help prepare the players for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.
“At least two wickets will be bouncy like the ones we prepared for the India series. The scheduling will be made in such a way that each club gets to play at least two matches on these wickets,” said Papon.
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