The Business Standard :
Former president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Saber Hossain Chowdhury has said the incumbent BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon is not being truthful about the ban on Bangladesh’s most decorated cricketer and ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
In a series of tweets posted on Wednesday morning on his verified profile, Saber Hossain said, “I think BCB was fully in the know and Mr Papon is not being truthful when he says he didn’t have a clue, am sad
and sorry to say. From attached video clip of 22nd Oct, looks like Mr Papon was IMPATIENTLY waiting for the ICC announcement.”
In another tweet, he wrote: “Hypocrisy, double standards at its best/worst – ‘BCB respects ICC’s decision .., shares similar sentiments against corruption in cricket.’ Rather than rooting out corruption institutionalised matchfixing, BCB actually promotes it in domestic cricket. Shame!”
Saber also tweeted saying, “Punishment must fit the crime BCB should at least have attempted to reduce duration of ban. Sad that Bangladesh Cricket Board has not stood by Shakib in this regard and are now shedding crocodile tears!”
On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a two-year ban on Shakib from all forms of cricket.
After the announcement, BCB President Nazmul Hassan said: “While the BCB is shocked and extremely disappointed that an experienced player like Shakib had failed to report corrupt approach on three occasions, at the same time we are pleased that he has cooperated fully with the ICC ACU and has pledged his commitment to its education programme.
“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. 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.”
