Published 17:57 IST, October 28th 2020

Bangladesh team gets ready to welcome 'best player' Shakib Al Hassan as his ban nears end

Bangladesh eagerly awaits their 'best player' Shakib Al Hasan's return to field as he completes his one-year anti-corruption rule violation ban on Thursday

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Bangladesh's cricket establishment is waiting erly to welcome Shakib Al Hasan with open arms as he completes his one-year anti-corruption rule violation ban on Thursday. Shakib was handed a two-year ban, with a one-year suspended sentence, by ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit on October 29 last year, for failing to report multiple corrupt approaches by an Indian bookmaker. Shakib during numerous interactions later has confessed that it was a mistake on his part to have t tified authorities.

And Mahmudullah said Bangladesh cricket team is waiting with bated breath to welcome back Shakib into dressing room. 

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"Our boy is coming back home," said an elated Bangladesh T20 captain Mahmudullah, which is collective mood of country's cricketing fraternity. We kw that Shakib has been best player for so many years, for Bangladesh cricket team. We are all erly waiting for his return to dressing room," Mahmudullah was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo. 

"It feels good to kw that we can see him, talk to him and spend time with him," he added.  33-year-old all-rounder is currently in United States with his family and is expected to return to Bangladesh early next month. 

"Shakib is a champion player. I think it won't take him long to get back to rhythm. I believe that he will get it back as soon as he enters cricket field," said Mahmudullah, who has been playing international cricket alongside Shakib for last 13 years.  " biggest thing is that we can fill up gap that his absence had created. He always makes important contributions with bat and ball."

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Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Minhajul Abedin said Shakib will be eased into international scene through domestic route. "Our best player is coming back to field. He w has to prepare himself for domestic tournaments since we don't have any international series for time being," Abedin said.  "We have to monitor his physical condition. Let him start in domestic cricket. We should give him time but he is a very experienced player. He won't take long to get back into rhythm," he said.

Abedin admitted that Bangladesh badly missed Shakib during last one year. "We definitely missed him. He is one of best all-rounders in world, and re are so few of m se days. We are lucky to have a batting all-rounder like him, which gives us a lot of advant."

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READ | Shakib Al Hasan's Comeback On SL Tour In October Likely But Conditional: BCB

READ | 'Took Bookies' Approach Too Casually': Shakib Al Hasan Says His Ban Could Have Been Longer

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17:57 IST, October 28th 2020