Hossain allowed to play National League even after being accused

Bangladesh’s fast bowler Shahadat Hossain has been allowed to play the National League after he and his wife allegedly tortured an eleven year old domestic help.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has said that it has nothing to do with Hossain and his wife being accused, and also added that Hossain will not be barred from playing in the National League.

BCB Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said that this was an unfortunate episode after it was filed on September 6. He added that the board is “utterly embarrassed” at Hossain’s implication in the case.

Hossain’s parents came to BCB for help on Tuesday and Wednesday.

BCB Director and Disciplinary Panel chief Sheikh Sohel further made BCB’s position clear on Thursday over the whole episode.

“The BCB has nothing to do here. We are not involved with the matter; it is a civilian issue. There is law, they (law enforcers) will take a decision about it,” he said.

He also said that this wouldn’t stop Hossain from participating in the national league due to start on 18th September.

“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,” he added.

Asked what the BCB’s stance would be if the player was arrested if he played in the tournament, Sohel said, “So far I know, there is no arrest warrant for him. We’ll see if an arrest warrant is issued. We’ll see what the law says.”

“The board follows a discipline. Something will be done then,” he added.

Bangladesh cricket has evolved in the recent times. ODI series victories over Pakistan, India and South Africa showed that the tigers are no more a “minnow”. But unfortunate events like these will only harm their reputation and hence should be avoided. Hossain has played only 38 tests and 51 ODIs and with age in his side, he has some cricketing career left in him but he needs to avoid being in the news for wrong reasons.