Dhaka – Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday withdrew the suspension slapped on pacer Kazi Shahadat Hossain Rajib from playing domestic cricket on humanitarian grounds following an appeal filed by the national coloured cricketer Shahadat will be eligible to play domestic cricket only. However, he will not be able to feature in the international cricket until his legal issues are settled.The pace bowler was banned in September 2015 from participating in activities under the BCB’s jurisdiction including playing in competitions as he became a subject of investigation for alleged criminal offences.A case was filed against him and his wife under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on charges of assaulting their housemaid and they were arrested on October 5 and were granted bail in December.Chief Executive Officer of BCB Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said: “The BCB’s disciplinary committee has taken the decision to withdraw the playing ban on Shahadat Hossain for humanitarian considerations, following an appeal by the player.”The lifting of ban, effective from today (Tuesday), is applicable for participation in domestic cricket only, he said, adding that he will not be considered for national team selection until his legal issues are settled.Shahadat appealed to the BCB in April for permission to play in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, but the board’s disciplinary committee turned down his pleas.Chairman of the BCB disciplinary committee AJM Nasir Uddin earlier said Shahadat would remain suspended unless the court dismissed the case. His name had been listed in the B+ category of the tournament roster subject to withdrawal of the suspension.Shahadat’s played for Bangladesh national team in May 2015 in the second Test against Pakistan in Mirpur. He bowled only two balls in the first innings before suffering a knee injury that ruled him out for six months, during which he was charged for assault and suspended.Soon after lifting ban, Shahadat expressed his gratitude to the board and said he was “fully fit”, although he has not played competitive cricket for over a year. “I felt really bad missing out on so much cricket, but I’m thankful to the BCB for letting me play, and always helping me in my bad times.”(UNB)
