Shakib Al Hasan’s International Exile Ends On Thursday

Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is facing a one-year ban in cricket, is about to complete his sentence. Bangladesh’s team is once again ready to welcome their star cricketer 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.

The Bangladeshi star bowler was approached by an Indian bookie. He later admitted that he had made a mistake in not informing the authorities. Bangladesh T20 team captain Mahmudullah said that the team is awaiting the reception of Shakib in the dressing room.

“Our boy is coming back home,” said an elated Bangladesh T20 captain Mahmudullah, which is the collective mood of the country’s cricketing fraternity.

“We know that Shakib has been the best player for so many years, for the Bangladesh cricket team. We are all eagerly waiting for his return to the dressing room,” Mahmudullah was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

“It feels good to know that we can see him, talk to him and spend time with him,” he added.

The 33-year-old all-rounder is currently in the US and is expected to return to Bangladesh next month.

Mahmudullah, who has been playing international cricket with Shakib for the last 13 years, said,

“Shakib is a champion player. I think it won’t take him long to get back to the rhythm. I believe that he will get it back as soon as he enters the cricket field.

“The biggest thing is that we can fill up the gap that his absence had created. He always makes important contributions with the bat and ball.”

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Minhajul Abedin also expressed his joy on Shakib’s return after the ban. He also said that Bangladesh team badly missed him and he is currently the best all-rounders in the world.

“Our best player is coming back to the field. He now has to prepare himself for domestic tournaments since we don’t have any international series for the 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.

“We definitely missed him. He is one of the best all-rounders in the world, and there are so few of them these days. We are lucky to have a batting all-rounder like him, which gives us a lot of advantage.”