An appeal will not necessarily mean exemption from punishment for suspended national all-rounder Shakib al Hasan. Though it was widely reported in the media that cricket’s governing body is thinking about reducing the punishment once Shakib appeals, Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) media committee chairman Jalal Yunus refused to term it as a ‘foregone conclusion’.
“I cannot say right now if his (Shakib) punishment will be minimised or it will remain the same. His appeal will first have to be made to the board after which the president (Nazmul Hasan) can call for a board meeting,” Jalal told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
“The board president also has the option of referring his appeal to the disciplinary committee and the committee will then decide what to do and what not to,” the BCB director added.
Jalal informed that Shakib, as a contracted player of the board, has the right to appeal against his punishment anytime.
“I was informed that he met the board president yesterday (Wednesday) and that he has pledged the president to exempt his punishment. Now the issue here is if the punishment should be reconsidered,” said Jalal.
Jalal also ruled out the involvement of national head coach Chandika Hathurusingha in the issue.
“I do not understand why he (Chandika) is being involved in this issue. The board has punished Shakib due to disciplinary issues so the coach has nothing to do here and I do not see any scope for him to get involved here,” said Jalal.
The BCB president had reasoned Shakib’s ‘severe attitude problem’ as one of the reasons behind the punishment. The BCB chief also informed that the star cricketer had violated the board’s marketing rights.
“Sahara (title sponsor of Bangladesh cricket) once querried why Shakib had used the national jersey in one of his endorsements. Later they wrote the issue to the board as a complaint,” he added.
Jalal confirmed that Shakib had indeed breached the board’s regulations and that he had not taken any permission before using the national jersey.
