‘Shakib’s replacement is not possible’

Bangladesh premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was handed a two-year ban, with one of them suspended, by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday after the 32-year old had accepted three charges of him breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. 

The premier all-rounder will miss at least one year of cricketing activities for the national team, starting with the India tour in November.

And according to former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and ICC president and current Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, it will not be possible to find replacement of Shakib anytime soon.

"It is unfortunate that we will not get Shakib's services for one year. It is a huge loss for our country. His replacement is not possible. It is not possible that his replacement will be coming up in two or three days or even in one or two months' time," said Kamal today.

Kamal also thought that Shakib accepting the charges and speaking the truth prove his honesty.

"It is a matter of great sorrow for us. But I think Shakib did the good thing -- he spoke the truth and proved his honesty. I think, what he could have done is that he could have informed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and also could have said this to honourable Prime Minister, who likes him a lot. ICC is very strict in these matters. They will never let anyone break any discipline. And especially ICC never likes any match fixing issues." concluded Kamal.