Bangladesh Cricket Board suspends Shahadat Hossain

Shahadat is unlikely to return to the field anytime soon

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have temporarily suspended Shahadat Hossain, ESPNCricinfo reports. BCB President Nazmul Hassan confirmed the development stating that Shahadat will be kept out of cricket until investigation against the fast bowler in connection with a case of alleged torture of his 11-year-old housemaid is completed.

The development brings an end to the confusion prevailing in the BCB over how to deal with the situation after the Dhaka police had registered a case under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act against the 29-year-old after injury marks were found on the girl’s body. Contrasting opinions had risen in Bangladesh cricket hierarchy on what action if any was to be taken against Shahadat.

"We still don't know the full incident. But from what we have seen in the media, it is unwanted," BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury had said in the immediate aftermath of the report that came out last week. "We didn't expect this from a senior cricketer like him. We are embarrassed.”

BCB Director and Disciplinary Panel chief Sheikh Sohel, however, shared a different opinion and stated that the cricketer would be allowed to play in the national league as the case was not related to cricket.

"I think he will be able to play. Because he didn't show such behaviour in cricket. What happened is different and his personal matter. It has no relation with cricket," Sohel said, as reported by NDTV.

BCB president Hassan though has now made it clear that Shahadat, who is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury, was unlikely to return to the field anytime soon.

"Unless the investigation ends or there is a decision on the matter, BCB doesn't want to keep any attachment with him," Hassan said. "We are quiet, and we will remain quiet. He is more than likely to stay outside cricket. There is no reason to give Shahadat Hossain any leeway, it is quite clear.”

Police have been on the lookout for Shahadat and his wife, who has also been charged with the assault, but Hassan revealed that the fast bowler, who has played 38 Tests and 51 ODIs for Bangladesh, had come to see him. The 50-year-old however, added that he did not give in to Shahadat’s demand.

“I don't know whether you know this, but he came to see me. I didn't meet him. What would I have told him? I don't have anything to do. It is totally up to the law of the land," Hassan said.