In a big development, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has decided to end his controversial deal with Betwinner News hours after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a warning to him.
BCB ordered Shakib to cancel his endorsement deal with the betting site or face ouster from the national team.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, BCB president Nazmul Hasan confirmed that Shakib has agreed to obey the board's rules.
"I just heard that he has given a letter (to the board),'' Nazmul stated. ''I haven't read as yet...But I have learnt that he has agreed to all our terms and conditions. He said that he will do everything that we want him to do."
Recently, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) granted BCB an extension in the deadline for picking their Asia Cup 2022 squad due to several instances of injury.
Shakib was deemed as the front-runner to lead the T20I squad but the deal with Betwinner News put his place in the team in danger.
All forms of gambling are illegal in Bangladesh and, thus, cricket administrators were quick to seek an explanation from the player.
"We will give the team of the Asia Cup soon but before that we have to come to a certain decision because we have to announce the team and for that we had the meeting," Nazmul told reporters after the meeting, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
"We will give the team by tomorrow (August 12) or latest by day after tomorrow and before that we are assessing the situation of the team. Tamim is not playing in the T20Is while Litton [Das], Nurul [Hasan] and Rabbi [Yasir Ali] are unavailable due to injuries, and so forming the team now has became a big issue.
"As far as Shakib is concerned, there is no option of second thought here and the BCB stand is clear in this. When I first came to BCB I said that there is zero tolerance in this regard and BCB won't accept it no matter how you explain it. So there is no way he can have the deal (with Betwinner). We had to drop players like [Mohammad] Ashraful so there is no way he can continue with the deal and now the decision lies with him. We have given a letter and we are expecting a reply by today. Let us wait and we will decide whether he will be in the team or not," Nazmul had said.
(With Cricbuzz inputs)
