Surprised That Shakib Al Hasan Did Not Report Approaches - Mohammad Ashraful

Who would have expected that a player like Shakib Al Hasan will be away from the team because of issues related to match-fixing? The flamboyant all-rounder from Bangladesh failed to report the approaches of the bookies, thus, became the victim of the ICC rules and regulations. Meanwhile, the former skipper of Bangladesh Mohammad Ashraful quoted that he is surprised to see Shakib not reporting the approach.

Shakib, who is the top-ranked ODI all-rounder, has been found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and was charged for not reporting approaches from an alleged Indian bookie, Deepak Aggarwal. In fact, it has happened twice. Once it was during a tri-series among Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in January 2018 and later, during the IPL in April 2018.

As a result, the ICC handed him a two-year ban (1 of which is suspended) with effect from October 29. With a year of ban to be served, Shakib can return to international cricket only from October 29, 2020. It means that he will miss the Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup next year.

Shakib Al Hasan should have been alert – Mohammad Ashraful

Speaking of the same, Mohammad Ashraful, who himself was banned for 8 years following involvement in match-fixing saga, quoted that he was surprised to see a player of his stature failing to report the news. Further, the discarded cricketer, who recently made a return to the game of cricket feels that the timing of the ban will hurt Bangladesh.

“It is unbelievable that someone of Shakib’s stature did not report the matter to the anti-corruption units. That, too, when there were multiple attempts. I am surprised! He definitely should have been careful. He is such a senior player and he knows what such things could lead to, so he should have been more alert,” he said to Sportstar.

”I have learnt it the hard way. And also, I hope other players to remain alert about fixing approaches. It is important for the game. It is a big setback for Bangladesh cricket and the timing is also wrong. This is for the first time Bangladesh will be playing a long series against India. The team needed Shakib,” Ashraful said.

Mohammad Ashraful was banned for eight years for his involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing cases in 2013 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. He was also imposed a fine of 10 lakh Bangladeshi Taka by the BPL’s anti-corruption tribunal in 2014. Later, it got reduced to 5 years. Now, he is trying to make a comeback.