Asia Cup 2022: Shakib Al Hasan Betwinner controversy: Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has relented to Bangladesh Cricket Board’s pressure. After BCB issued an ultimatum on either terminating contract or face the axe from national team, the all-rounder has chosen the latter. He drew wrath of BCB for endorsing Betwinner. Follow Asia Cup 2022 Live & check Bangladesh Squad Asia CUP updates on InsideSport.IN
Shakib last week announced a partnership with Betwinner news, a portal operated by the gambling firm based on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. All forms of gambling are illegal in Bangladesh. Although it is rampant during cricket matches when underground punters exploit a brief delay between live play and official broadcasts. Cricket administrators were quick to seek an explanation from the player. However, the companies have been promoting their brands through surrogate ads.
“Yes, we have received a letter from Shakib where he has informed of terminating his contract with Betwinner,” BCB president Nazmul Hasan told local media.
Asia Cup 2022: Shakib Al Hasan BOWS down to BCB’s ULTIMATUM on Asia Cup AXE, withdraws endorsement of betting company, Check OUT
Asia Cup 2022: Shakib Al Hasan BOWS down to BCB’s ULTIMATUM on Asia Cup AXE, withdraws endorsement of betting company, Check OUT
However, Shakib did not initially relent. He wrote on his verified social media pages that it was the “one and only source of sports news!” But despite informing the BCB of his decision, he is yet to take down the social media posts he made, endorsing the brand.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan said they were expecting a response by Thursday and the issue was non-negotiable.
“There is no question of second thoughts,” he told reporters. “He has to come out of this, otherwise, he will not be in the squad.”
Shakib had been widely expected to take over the Bangladesh T20 side as captain for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE and lead the side to the next Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in October-November.
Asia Cup 2022: Shakib Al Hasan BOWS down to BCB’s ULTIMATUM on Asia Cup AXE, withdraws endorsement of betting company, Check OUT
But the captaincy was not even a subject for discussion unless he cancelled the Betwinner deal, Nazmul added.
“He won’t even be in the team. There is no scope for negotiation. We are clear about this,” he said.
The announcement of the Asia Cup squad has been delayed for a day pending Shakib’s decision, he added.
But a miffed BCB is not yet happy with Shakib’s behaviour. Nazmul told reporters that only when he meets Shakib and gets an explanation, he will release the squad for Asia Cup.
“Many had told me to declare the team today after receiving the email. But I did not agree. He is coming to Dhaka tomorrow [Friday] and will meet me on Saturday. He will need to explain why he has created this chaos despite knowing everything. It is not possible to speak in details over phone so I want to speak to him one on one and then decide the needful,” Nazmul said.
The International Cricket Council banned the all-rounder for two years — one of them suspended — in 2019 after he failed to record corrupt approaches.
Bangladesh reappointed Shakib as Test captain in June following the resignation of Mominul Haque.
Asia Cup 2022: Shakib Al Hasan BOWS down to BCB’s ULTIMATUM on Asia Cup AXE, withdraws endorsement of betting company, Check OUT
Follow Asia Cup 2022 Live updates on InsideSport.IN
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