Shakib Al Hasan tries a leg at football amid two-year ban from Cricket

Former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who is currently facing a two-year ban from cricket, was seen trying a leg at football weeks after his ban was announced. The world number one all-rounder was handed a two-year ban by the ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches from a bookie. Shakib's ban came as a huge blow to Bangladesh, especially ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2020 in Australia. Shakib, who had earlier accepted the charges and had vowed to make a stronger comeback, was seen playing football with a team Footy Hags at the Army Stadium against the Korean Expat team. One of Shakib's teammates, Riyad Shahir Ahmed Husain, took to Facebook to share pictures of the all-rounder playing football with the team. 

Shakib tries his leg at football

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Netizens overjoyed seeing Shakib back on field

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Shakib banned for two years

The ban comes as a huge blow for Bangladesh cricket ahead of their much-anticipated tour of India, which comprises three T20 Internationals and two Tests, beginning with the shortest format games on November 3. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, said that doors will be opened for Shakib once his ban ends. "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," BCB said in a statement. "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."

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Shakib responds to charges

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has responded after being banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from all forms of cricket for two years. According to a press release by ICC, Shakib 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."

He added, “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.”

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