Quit contract with Betwinner News or get out of national team: BCB to Shakib

Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan faces being axed from the national team unless he terminates his controversial contract with Betwinner News, which is a surrogate promotion of online betting and gaming portal Betwinner.

The stern warning came on Thursday from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan amid a stand-off over the star cricketer’s deal with the controversial organization, reports UNB.

“If Shakib continues with the Betwinner News the board will not consider him for the national team,” said Nazmul.

The BC had been caught off guard after the star player’s recent admission that he joined the Betwinner News as its brand ambassador . He defended his decision saying the organization has nothing to do with betting.

According to BCB’s regulation, no cricketer is allowed to work with any organization that is involved in betting-related activities. BCB’s regulation also mandates every cricketer to inform it prior to making any business contract with any organization, which Shakib failed to do before his contract with Betwinner News.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy against betting and betting-related activities,” Nazmul told the media on Thursday. “If he continues his contract with that organization, we will not consider him for the national team.”

He also added that the board has asked Shakib to clear his position on whether he is going to cancel this contract or not, and the all-rounder is set to inform the board about the same by today (Thursday, USA time).

Shakib is currently staying in the USA with his family.

Shakib was previously banned by the ICC due to his continuous contact with a proven book-maker and not reporting it to the respective authority. He was also banned by the BCB for his continuous misbehaving off and on the field.

Meanwhile, BCB is yet to announce Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup due to the issue with Shakib. Nazmul said the board will announce the squad by Saturday.

He confirmed that Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohana and Yasir Ali Rabbi will not be part of the Bangladesh team due to injuries. While Liton and Sohan sustained injuries in the recent tour of Zimbabwe, Yasir got a blow during Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies.