Shakib set to be fully free
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon yesterday said that he was in favour of lifting the ban on talismanic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan regarding participating in overseas tournaments.
"We have seen positive changes in Shakib's behaviour and attitude. The senior players, including Shakib, have taken responsibility during the ongoing series [against Zimbabwe]. He can apply for the ban to be lifted and then it depends on the board members, but personally I am in favour of [lifting] it," said Papon while talking to The Daily Star yesterday after returning from an ICC Board meeting.
Shakib was handed a six-month suspension on July 3 and it was significantly reduced on August 26, allowing him to return with a bang against Zimbabwe.
The board's decision to not provide him with No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in foreign leagues until December 31, 2015 did not see any change but now it seems that the ban will be reduced, pending formalities.
During the ICC Board meeting in Dubai, the BCB boss discussed the FTP with his counterparts and finalised Bangladesh's first tour of India for a one-off Test in August, 2016.
"We all but confirmed the next FTP till 2023 with the other full members. Pakistan agreed to visit our country in April next year to play a full series, but we are yet to confirm other tours. We first signed the FTP with India and they will host us next year for a Test, only to open the door," informed the BCB boss.
"Zimbabwe also requested us to play three one-day internationals before the World Cup. It's a good offer if you consider Zimbabwe's seaming and bouncy conditions, but the Dhaka Premier League will conclude in January and then the team will go to Australia on January 24 to play four practice matches to become accustomed to the conditions down under. We have to evaluate with our staff whether it is viable for us," he continued.
He also hinted that the ICC may withdraw their appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland against the verdict given by the chairman of the disciplinary panel of the BCB regarding the BPL fixing cases of Mohammad Ashraful and a number of other cricketers.
"We are happy with the verdict, so there is no point continuing the legal battle. The only problem is with Ashraful, who may play domestic competitions during the two-year period, but we need to verify it with our legal experts," said Papon.
The verdict given by the chairman of the BCB's disciplinary panel in October had reduced Ashraful's ban from eight years to five.
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