Bangladesh cricketer Rubel Hossain sent to jail

Rubel Hossain

A Dhaka Court has sentenced Bangladesh international fast bowler Rubel Hossain to jail after finding him guilty under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. On December 13, Naznin Akter Happy, an actress, filed a case against Hossain at a Mirpur police station alleging that the 25-year-old had made false assurances of marriage.

Appearing at the court today, Hossain requested for a bail. Dhaka Metropolitan magistrate Muhammad Anwar Sadat, however, ruled against the plea, sending him to prison.

Anisur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Dhaka police, speaking to AFP, said: "The metropolitan magistrate court rejected his bail plea... He was sent to prison pending the next hearing of the case."

According to a media report, Happy has also accused Hossain of raping her. She has, however, said that she would withdraw the complaint if Hossain complies to tie the knot.

World Cup future in jeopardy

Only four days ago, Hossain was named in the Bangladesh 15-man squad for the World Cup 2015. With Bangladesh set to leave for Australia on January 24, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that if the player fails to join the unit on time, he will be replaced.

He said: "We are discussing the matter, so it is quite early to say what we are planning to do," Chowdhury said. "But he had been handling the matter personally so far. If he fails to join the squad in time, we have a contingency plan in place."

The right-arm fast bowler has represented Bangladesh in 86 international matches, picking up 108 wickets, and is one of the finest talents to have emerged from the country.