Protests in Bangladesh over ban on cricket hero Shakib Al Hasan

Hundreds of people std a demonstration in a Banglesh town on Wednesday against a two-year ban on cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan for t declaring attempts to bribe him. ban on 32-year-old superstar was anunced on Tuesday by International Cricket Council (ICC), which suspended one year of punishment after Shakib "accepted three charges of breaching ICC Anti-Corruption Code". Shakib me a public appeal for support after being banned, unleashing a flood of angry anti-ICC social media posts from his fans.

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Banglesh fans protest over Shakib's ban

Police said about 700 people took to streets in Shakib's hometown of Magura, demanding ICC revoke ban which came on eve of Banglesh's departure for a tour of India.

" protesters shouted slogans and marched along a highway. y also formed a human chain as part of ir action against ICC decision," said Saiful Islam, police chief in western town.

Protesters carried placards saying that Shakib was victim of a "conspiracy".Smaller protests were held in capital Dhaka, police said. Test and T20 captain accepted charges that he h failed to disclose details of approaches me over a tri-nation series between Banglesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 2018 as well as 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL). Shakib will be eligible to return from October 29 next year but he is ruled out of T20 World Cup in Australia which starts October 8.

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'Shocking' decision 

"Those who have supported me over years, I hope y, fans, Banglesh Cricket Board, government, journalists will continue to support me in my b and good time," Shakib told reporters after ban was anunced. "I am hopeful I will come back to cricket soon. I will be stronger and will perform my responsibilities with more sincerity," he said. Shakib, who has played 56 Tests, 206 ODIs and 76 Twenty20 internationals, is Banglesh's biggest sporting hero and has regularly topped ICC rankings for all-rounders since 2009.

At this year's World Cup in England, Shakib scored more than 600 runs and picked up 11 wickets. He also became fastest cricketer to reach 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in one-day internationals. After ban, Shakib stepped down from MCC World Cricket committee, which said it was "sorry" to lose him but supported his resignation, which was " right decision". Banglesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said Shakib's suspension was "shocking" as he is centerpiece of team. "We have substitute (for Shakib)... I was angry when I first heard about it and asked why he didn't inform me. We planned our India tour keeping Shakib in team," Nazmul told reporters. Banglesh will play two Tests and three T20 internationals in its Indian tour that starts vember 3.

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