Published 09:24 IST, October 30th 2019
Shakib's wife vows stronger return of all-rounder, calls him 'legend'
Shakib-al-Hasan has accepted the charges and has vowed to make a stronger comeback after his two-year ban and his fans and well-wishers believe in the same
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World number one all-rounder and former Bangladesh skipper was handed a two-year ban by the ICC for not reporting a corrupt approach made to him earlier by a bookie. In the backdrop of the ban, Shakib has received enormous support from his teammates, the BCB and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina as well. While Shakib has accepted the charges, he has vowed to make a comeback after his two-year ban and his fans and well-wishers too believe in the same.
Shakib's wife vows stronger comeback post ban
Shakib is one of the finest cricketers from Bangladesh and is a prominent face for the national team. The number one all-rounder recently lit up the show in the World Cup for Bangladesh and has been the most consistent player, both with the bat and the ball, for Bangladesh. Shakib's wife Sakib Ummey Al Hasan took to Facebook to post some encouraging words for her husband and vowed that he would return stronger than ever. Hailing Shakib as a 'legend', Shakib's wife said that there were ups and downs even in the lives of the legends and that everyone knew how strong Shakib was. Citing how Shakib returned to Bangladesh's aid at the World Cup after injuries, Sakib Umney said that her husband needed the support of the entire nation and that it was just a matter of time before he returned to action.
Shakib banned for two years
The ban comes as a huge blow for Bangladesh cricket ahead of their much-anticipated tour of India, which comprises three T20 Internationals and two Tests, beginning with the shortest format games on November 3. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, said that doors will be opened for Shakib once his ban ends. "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."
Shakib accepts charges
Shakib was spoken to by the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit in January and August this year and he failed to report the approaches made to him by "an individual known to the ACU and suspected of involvement in corruption in cricket, Deepak Aggarwal." The ICC said Aggarwal had asked Shakib to provide information on team composition and strategy on three separate occasions, one of them being April 26, 2018, when his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad was to take on Kings XI Punjab. Sunrisers won the game by 13 runs. Shakib had "accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code", something which went in his favour as he escaped the maximum punishment of five years for the offence.
09:11 IST, October 30th 2019