Teenage cricketer killed by stump wielding batsman in Bangladesh

In an unfortunate turn of events, a sixteen-year-old boy was beaten to death by stump over a tiff during a local cricket match. The incident occurred during a neighbourhood cricket match between friends in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka. Sixteen-year-old Babul Shikdar was wicket keeping in a cricket match between friends when the batsman was declared out.

Before the decision was given, Shikdar had been taunting the umpire, suggesting that the official might have favoured the batsman again after having called a no-ball on the previous delivery. Local police chief, Bhuiyan Mahboob Hasan said, “It enraged the batsman who picked up a stump and hit Shikdar on the back of his head. He collapsed on the field and died on the way to a clinic".

Police were now searching for the batsman who had fled the scene right after the incident.

Cricket is a much loved and passionately followed sport in the country. Scuffles such as the one above happen regularly at all levels of the game, but rarely do they go to the extent of causing fatalities.

Ban on pacer Shahadat Hossain lifted after appeal

In other developments in Bangladeshi cricket, fast bowler Shahadat Hossain’s suspension was lifted from domestic cricket and he is likely to play in the Dhaka Premier League. He will remain suspended from international events until his legal problems are solved. The Bangladesh Cricket Board decided to withdraw the playing ban on Shahadat on humanitarian grounds following an appeal by the player.

The fast bowler was suspended in September 2015 after a case was registered against him and his wife for abusing their 11-year old maid. He had been booked under Bangladesh’s Women and Children Repression Prevention Act for allegedly hitting the house help with vessels.

He was subsequently sent to prison and has now missed out on a year of competitive cricket as he had injured his knee while playing the second test against Pakistan in Mirpur last year.

The pace bowler expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, saying, “I felt really bad missing out on so much cricket, but I am thankful to the BCB for letting me play, and always helping me in my bad times."

Shahadat has been playing for Bangladesh since 2005 and has on occasion struggled as he concedes too many runs.