Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from all cricket for two years by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after he accepted three charges of breaching the Anti-Corruption Code of world cricket’s governing body.
One year of the ban has been suspended, after he accepted all the charges which followed approaches made to the 32 year old during the IPL and an international tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, at the beginning of last year.
Issuing its update the ICC identified exactly what the charges are:
- Article 2.4.4 – Failure to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations he received to engage in Corrupt Conduct – in relation to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe Tri-Series in January 2018 and / or the 2018 IPL
- Article 2.4.4 – Failure to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations he received to engage in Corrupt Conduct – in relation to a second approach in respect of the Tri-Series in January 2018
- Article 2.4.4 – Failure to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations he received to engage in Corrupt Conduct – in relation to an IPL 2018 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kings XI Punjab on 26 April 2018.
Under the provisions of the Code, Mr Al Hasan chose to admit the charges and agreed the sanction with the ICC in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. Subject to him satisfying the conditions in respect of the suspended part of the sanction, he will be free to resume international cricket on 29 October 2020.
Shakib Al Hasan said: “I am obviously extremely sad to have been banned from the game I love, but I completely accept my sanction for not reporting the approaches. The ICC ACU is reliant on players to play a central part in the fight against corruption and I didn’t do my duty in this instance.
“Like the majority of players and fans around the world, I want cricket to be a corruption free sport and I am looking forward to working with the ICC ACU team to support their education programme and ensure young players don’t make the same mistake I did.”
Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity added: “Shakib Al Hasan is a highly experienced international cricketer. He has attended many education sessions and knows his obligations under the Code. He should have reported each of these approaches.
“Shakib has accepted his errors and cooperated fully with the investigation. He has offered to assist the Integrity Unit in future education, to help younger players to learn from his mistakes. I am happy to accept this offer.”
Insider Insight: Given the stature of the player involved, this punishment will be seen as substantial enough when it comes to underlining the importance of cricket integrity.
Furthermore, Al Hassan’s willingness to communicate and accept his wrongdoings emphasise that the ICC is open to discussion and cooperation with its players.
