BCB will stand by Shakib Al Hasan, assures Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh's former Test and T20 captain and world's number one all-rounder in ODIs, Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended for two years with immediate effect by the ICC as he failed to report three corrupt approaches by the bookies. This ban has ruled him out of the next edition of the IPL and also of the T20 World Cup in Australia that is to be held next year. Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah have been announced as Bangladesh's Test and T20 captains respectively. 

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh had her say in this matter and instead of lashing out at the all-rounder, she has assured that the Bangladesh Cricket Board would provide all the moral support to him in his tough time.

“It’s clear that Shakib has made a mistake and he’s realised that,” Hasina was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com.

“There’s nothing much the government can do about the ICC’s decision but BCB will stand by him,” she added.

It will be really interesting to see how Bangladesh cope with this huge blow as Shakib was one of the top performers in the recently concluded 50-over World Cup and single-handedly had won games for Bangladesh on many occasions. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has assured that Shakib will again be in the scheme of things once he serves his suspension.

“We hope he will come back as a better and wiser cricketer and serve Bangladesh for many more years when his sanction will be over,” BCB said in a statement.

“During the suspension, the BCB will continue to support his efforts at returning to cricket. The BCB respects the ICC’s decision and shares similar sentiments against corruption in cricket,” the statement further mentioned.