Shakib's foreign ban lifted

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday lifted the ban on Shakib Al Hasan regarding participation in overseas tournaments.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon confirmed the board's decision while talking to reporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his return from Singapore. Papon said that the board had taken the decision of lifting the ban as they were happy with the performance and behaviour of the talismanic all-rounder.

The ban was supposed to run through December 31, 2015.

Papon however warned that the all-rounder could not imagine what kind of action would be taken against him if he violated the discipline again. "Not only Shakib, no one can imagine what kind of action will be taken against a player if he breaks discipline. It will be tougher than what we took against him [Shakib]," he commented after his attention was drawn to Wednesday's incident in the Dhaka Premier League, where the all-rounder was fined for dissent.

Legends of Rupganj captain Shakib was fined for misbehaving with the on-field umpire during their league game against Prime Bank Cricket Club at BKSP and later fined Tk 10,000.

Shakib will now be eligible to play the Twenty20 Big Bash League in Australia, which commences on December 18.

Regarding Legends of Rupganj owner Lutfur Rahman Badal's recent comments, Papon said that he was yet to read the full text. But what he has learnt from others, he could not imagine someone hurling so bad language. He said that he would first read the whole text and then won't hesitate to take all necessary action against Badal.