Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan gets in trouble, BCB receives legal notice to ban him

Days after Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was named as one of the accused in connection with the alleged murder of textile factory worker Rubel, lawyers for Rafiqul Islam wrote to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) demanding Hasan’s immediate suspension from all cricket sports, reported Cribbuzz.

The former Bangladesh captain was one of 147 people brought against Rubel's father Rafiqul. Shakib was also a former MP in the Awami League regime led by Sheikh Hasina.

Shakib is currently in Pakistan playing the Test series. In the first Test in Rawalpindi, Bangladesh led by Najmul Hossain Shanto defeated Pakistan led by Shan Masood by 10 wickets. Shakib took 4 wickets and scored 15 runs in this match.

According to more details, Shakib's fate will most likely be decided after the Test against Pakistan, which was also confirmed by BCB President Faruque Ahmed.

In connection with Rubel's murder on August 7, Rafiqul's lawyer, Md Rafinur Rahman – represented by advocate Shajib Mahmood Alam – served legal notice to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) through email and registered mail.

The statement referred to the ICC rules, according to which a player named in a criminal case is not allowed to play for the national team.

Among other things, the statement even asked the BCB to bring Shakib back home to assist in the murder investigation and also to inform the ICC.

Answer from the BCB boss:

The BCB chief confirmed that the communication had not yet been received but assured a decision would be made before the second Test match against Pakistan on August 30 in Rawalpindi.

“Let me say something about Shakib. A case has been filed. We have not received any legal notice yet. An FIR (First Information Letter) has been issued in the case and later there will be an investigation and after that the case will develop in one direction or the other.” Cricbuzz Faruque was quoted as saying after the meeting with the board members at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

“Look, we are playing a Test match now and it is very good news that we played well on the fourth day. Tomorrow is the fifth day, the crucial day of the Test and I think at this point we have not thought about taking a stance. The day after tomorrow, when the match is over, we will sit down and take a decision. At that point we will also be able to say something about the legal notice because we will have received it by then,” he said.

“Look, the FIR is just the first information letter and as far as I know they have not filed any charges yet, so it is difficult to make a decision beforehand. The relationship between BCB and Shakib Al Hasan is that of a player and an employer as per the contract. From tomorrow we can think more precisely after we receive the legal notice and on that basis. I cannot withdraw him from the middle of the test match,” he said.

“The second Test match will be on August 30, so there is a gap between the matches. During that time, we can think about what can be done in that regard,” he added.