Will the rest learn the lesson?

Let’s face facts first: Bangladesh cricket’s biggest icon ever, Shakib Al Hasan, has been banned by the game’s governing body for two years for not reporting a bookie’s approach on three separate occasions.  

And then take a deep breath before reflecting on arguably the darkest moment in Bangladesh cricket history. Bangladesh cricket sans Shakib is a body blow in every sense. He has not just been an all-rounder but an omnipresent influence in almost every success story Bangladesh scripted since he donned the national cap in 2006. He formed part of the ‘fantastic five’. Still, Shakib was the best of the lot not just for his sheer skill but more for his determination to take the fight to the opposition.

The ICC sanction is a bolt from the blue not just for the all-rounder’s millions of fans; it also caught everyone involved in cricket by surprise. Rumours were rife over the past few days that something was still wrong even after the players’ boycott over demands for improved wages and benefits was sympathetically handled by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

When Shakib was leading that 13-point demand, no one had the slightest notion what he was actually thinking about regarding his own future. There were signs of what was coming -- he missed most of the national team’s training camp for the upcoming India tour and there were conflicting reports of him being AWOL.

But when BCB officials yesterday said that they were waiting for an ICC circular before announcing a fresh team for the India series, it was evident that a sanction against Shakib was coming. And it came crashing to disturb an otherwise healthy Bangladesh cricket furniture.

Shakib is solely to be blamed for putting the country’s cricket in such an embarrassing situation. The ICC rightly said: “Shakib has attended many education sessions and knows his obligations under the Code. He should have reported each of these approaches.”

Over the years Shakib has decided to live on his terms. He has often been criticised for his off-field ‘can’t care less attitude’. He has served a six-month ban from the BCB before but seems to have learnt little along the way. It is inexplicable how a player, who considered disgraced former Bangladesh captain Mohammed Ashraful an evil influence in Bangladesh cricket, committed an offence he could have easily avoided with a little commonsense.

Unfortunately, he did not act in the manner in which he has been serving Bangladesh cricket on the field for the last 13-odd years. His wilful disregard for the law put Bangladesh cricket in deep trouble at a time when Bangladesh cricket is in transition.

The BCB planned a fresh journey with Shakib at the helm after the World Cup. Unfortunately, he will not be around for at least one year provided that he avoids the suspended one-year ban.

It can be a good lesson for the rest of the team, but it remains to be seen if they can rise from the ashes.