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BSP-15
CRICKET-SHAHADAT-RETURN
Shahadat returns to competitive cricket after 18 months
DHAKA, June 5, 2021 (BSS)—Bangladesh fast bowler Shahadat Hossain Rajib who was banned from the cricket for five years for slapping a teammate during a first class match, returned to competitive cricket with a match of the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL) today.
The former Bangladesh fast bowler was seen to bowl today for Partex during their DPL match against Old DOHS at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium even though there was no official statement about the reduction of his ban.
He delivered two wicket-less over in the match that was reduced to 15-over due to the rain.
However the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) allowed him to return to the domestic cricket, considering his financial condition. Due to the poor financial condition, Shahadat wrote in an application to BCB that he even couldn’t get her mother medical treatment after she was diagnosed with cancer.
BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan had said at the time that they are considering the matter due to the humanitarian ground and would raise it to the board high-ups.
“He is in a lot of problem in his family as his mother is diagnosed with cancer. He called me and told all the things in details. I also spoke to some of the directors and we have requested the disciplinary committee to consider his matter,” Akram said.
In November 2019, Shahadat had slapped teammate Arafat Sunny Jr during an NCL match in Khulna, after the latter refused to shine the ball for the fast bowler. After being withdrawn from the match, he was charged with a Level-4 offence, which amounted to a fine of BDT 100,000 (US $1200 approx.) and a five-year ban with two years as suspended sentencing. He was also alleged for off the field misdemeanor, which the BCB took seriously.
At the time when he appealed to BCB, Shahadat said he is desperate to return to cricket for his mother’s treatment.
Regretting his past misdemeanor, he said, “I regretted for what I did in the past. I was wrong and I vowed not to repeat those actions in my life. My mother is a cancer patient and for her treatment, I want to return to cricket.”
Shahadat played the last of his 95th international matches in May 2015. He remains Bangladesh’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests among fast bowlers.
BSS/SMP/GMR/1700 hrs