BCB with Shakib, says PM

Dhaka, Oct 29 (UNB) – As star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan likely to face action by the International Cricket Council for not reporting a corrupt approach, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will provide all sorts of cooperation to him.

“The BCB is with him (Shakib) and will extend all sorts of cooperation to him,” she said while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban on her Azerbaijan tour for attending the 18th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The Prime Minister, however, said if the ICC takes any action against any player they have nothing much to do with it.

She also said it is right that he made a mistake but he could also realise his mistake. “He (Shakib) should have reported it (Corrupt approach) to the ICC.”

About the strike by Bangladeshi cricketers to press for their 13-point demand, she said she never heard that cricketers go on a strike like this.

Generally, she said, demands were placed first and then strike is called after issuing a notice.

According to media reports, Shakib was kept away from practice ahead of Bangladesh’s India tour at ICC’s instructions.

Two years ago, he reportedly received an offer from a bookie before an international match, which he did not report to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

According to the newspapers, Shakib also confessed about it to the ACSU’s investigating officers recently.