It has been an eventful 2014 for Bangladesh cricket both on- and off-the-field. Headlines were created, albeit mostly for the wrong reasons.
With the new year knocking at the door, Dhaka Tribune takes a look back at some of these controversies that took place throughout 2014.
Concerns over security prior to the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20
An unexpected bomb blast near the hotel of the visiting West Indies Under-19 side in Chittagong back on December, 2013, raised concerns over security in Bangladesh ahead of a number of continental and global competitions.
Due to the ongoing political unrest back then, the West Indian youngsters pulled out from their tour. Clouds of doubt and uncertainty had started to creep in. The Bangladesh Cricket Board, however, did manage to overcome the situation by assuring presidential security for the visiting teams. Subsequently, the tournaments took place without any uncalled-for incident.
The curious case of Shakib al Hasan
Although Shakib is known for his consistent performances for the national side and different clubs around the world, his behaviour this year continued to perplex the cricketing arena.
Due to his scuffle with a spectator during an ODI at home against India on June and citing his misbehaviour with Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, the BCB on July 7 suspended the ace all-rounder from all types of cricket activities for six months. Cricket’s regulatory body of the country also barred him from participating in overseas domestic competitions till the end of 2015.
Shakib, the world’s number one all-rounder in Tests and Twenty20 Internationals, later apologised for his misdemeanours. On August 26, Shakib breathed a sigh of relief as his ban was reduced by three months. After missing the tour of the West Indies, the 27-year old returned in the bilateral series at home against Zimbabwe in grand style.
On December 4, Shakib’s overseas ban was also lifted, thus making him available for the ongoing KFC Big Bash T20 League. He later signed for the Melbourne Renegades.
Lutfur Rahman Badal-BCB dispute
The Badal-BCB saga was initiated by Badal himself when the Legends of Rupganj owner claimed that his team were victims of poor umpiring. Badal also slammed a few board directors and the BCB president, adding more fuel to the fire. Although Badal later apologised, his plea fell on deaf ears. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis on December 9 banned him for life from all sorts of cricket activities.
Rubel-Happy controversy
The most shocking controversy this year was perhaps that of Rubel Hossain and film actress Happy. On December 13, the film actress filed a case against the national paceman under the Women and Children Repression Act. The Bagerhat lad was granted an anticipatory four-week bail by the High Court but it hardly arrived as good news as his inclusion in the Tigers’ World Cup squad is shrouded with doubt. BCB president Nazmul Hasan later said they will support the right-arm paceman, only if he is proven innocent.
