Shakib Al Hasan banned after breaching anti-corruption code

Two of the charges relate to Bangladesh's tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in January 2018, while the third is in relation to an Indian Premier League clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from all cricket for two years, with one year suspended, after accepting three charges of breaching the ICC's anti-corruption code.

The charges relate to three separate incidents of failing to disclose "full details of any approaches or invitations he received to engage in corrupt conduct".

Two of the charges relate to Bangladesh's tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in January 2018, while the third is in relation to an Indian Premier League clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab.

In the ICC’s full written reasoning for the decision, it also states that Shakib – in either 2008 or 2009 – did report an approach he had received to engage in corrupt conduct, adhering to the anti-corruption rules that were then in place.

Alex Marshall, ICC general manager for integrity, said: “Shakib Al Hasan is a highly experienced international cricketer. He has attended many education sessions and knows his obligations under the Code. He should have reported each of these approaches.

“Shakib has accepted his errors and cooperated fully with the investigation. He has offered to assist the Integrity Unit in future education, to help younger players to learn from his mistakes. I am happy to accept this offer.”

The allrounder, who starred during the summer’s World Cup, was first interviewed on January 23 of this year in relation to an ongoing anti-corruption investigation that was not limited to – but did include – the activities of Deepak Aggarwal, an individual known to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit as being suspected of being involved in corruption in the sport.

After being informed that any information he gave could be used in support of a charge were he found to be in breach of the governing body’s code, the 32-year-old admitted to various failures to report approaches made to him to provide information to Aggarwal.

He confessed to being aware that his telephone number had been given to Aggarwal by another person after Aggarwal had requested contacts for players taking part in the Bangladesh Premier League.

In November 2017, Aggarwal exchanged WhatsApp messages with Shakib, who sought to meet the Bangladesh captain.

During the tri-series between Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in January 2018, the pair held further WhatsApp conversations.

^{Shakib Al Hasan has played for Bangladesh more than 300 times in all formats}

In one, on January 19 2018, Aggarwal congratulated Shakib on being given the man of the match award for his performance in a convincing victory over Sri Lanka. He made 67 with the bat, before taking three wickets.

Aggarwal followed his initial message with a further message saying: “Do we work in this or I wait til the IPL”.

The reference to “work” was a reference to Shakib providing inside information to Aggarwal. He failed to report this approach to the ICC anti-corruption unit or any other such body.

On 23 January 2018, Shakib received a further message from Aggarwal, which featured another approach for inside information. It asked: “Bro anything in this series?” Once again, he failed to report this request.

Four months later during the IPL on April 26, 2018, where Shakib played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, having previously represented Kolkata Knight Riders for seven seasons, he received another WhatsApp message ahead of a game against Kings XI Punjab.

Aggarwal’s message requested information on whether a particular player would be taking part in the game.

During this particular conversation, Aggarwal discussed bitcoins and dollar accounts, asking Shakib for his dollar account details.  In this conversation, Shakib told Aggarwal that he wanted to meet him “first”. There were also a number of deleted messages during the April 26 conversation. Shakib confirmed when interviewed that those deleted messages were requests from Aggarwal for information.

Shakib admitted when interviewed that he felt Aggarwal was “dodgy” and, having engaged in their WhatsApp conversations, felt that he was a bookmaker. However, he reported none of those approaches.

In mitigation, Shakib stressed that he did not accept or act upon any of the approaches, nor did he provide Aggarwal with any of the information requested.

Yet, having failed to report any of the approaches, he was in breach of Code Article 2.4.4, which states: “Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details or any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code.”

Code Article 6.2 sets out that Shakib could, therefore, have been handed sanctions ranging from six months through to a five-year period.

The reasoning, which was signed off by ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney, explains that the relative leniency of the sanction was prompted by Shakib’s voluntary admission and cooperation during interviews with the anti-corruption unit. It also noted his previously good disciplinary record and the fact that his offences did not affect the outcome of the relevant matches, as well as documenting his “remorse and contrition”.

In order for the suspension of the second year of his ban to remain in place, he cannot commit any further offence under the code. He must also participate in any anti-corruption education and rehabilitation programmes, as specified by the ICC.

Since the decision was announced, Shakib has resigned from his position on the MCC World Cricket committee.

Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nazmul Hassan added: “While the BCB is shocked and extremely disappointed that an experienced player like Shakib had failed to report corrupt approach on three occasions, at the same time we are pleased that he has cooperated fully with the ICC ACU and has pledged his commitment to its education programme.

“We hope he will come back as a better and wiser cricketer and serve Bangladesh for many more years when his sanction will be over. During the suspension the BCB will continue to support his efforts at returning to cricket.

“The BCB respects the ICC’s decision and shares similar sentiments against corruption in cricket.”