ICC hand Shakib Al Hasan two-year ban for failing to report corrupt approach

In what could potentially rock Bangladesh cricket, Test captain and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been handed a two-year ban, one year of which is suspended, for failing to report corrupt approaches on multiple occasions. 

"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," Shakib said in an ICC press release.

However, Shakib can still choose to challenge the sanction and should he do so, an independent panel will be set up by the ICC to take things forward.

"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," he added.

The all-rounder led the recent player strike which saw several members of the Bangladesh cricket team rebel against the board, threatening to boycott all matches if their demands were not met. After Shakib missed training in the past few days, reports started emerging that he could potentially be banned for a considerable while for failing to report match-fixing approaches and the same was confirmed by the ICC on Tuesday (October 29). 

"Shakib Al Hasan is a highly experienced international cricketer. He has attended many education sessions and knows his obligations under the Code. He should have reported each of these approaches," Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager (Integrity) said.

"Shakib has accepted his errors and cooperated fully with the investigation. He has offered to assist the Integrity Unit in future education, to help younger players to learn from his mistakes. I am happy to accept this offer."