Regardless of what happens to his appeal, all-rounder Sakib al Hasan will not be considered for the forthcoming West Indies tour, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan said on Monday. Nazmul appeared to have softened his position regarding Sakib, who on Sunday submitted an appeal against his six-month ban and issued a rare public apology in a statement read out to the press.Speaking to reporters at an Iftar Party, hosted by the BCB in honour of the newly-elected International Cricket Council president AHM Mustafa Kamal, Nazmul said he felt good seeing Sakib’s attitude over the past few days.
Nazmul was impressed by Sakib’s carefully chosen words in his statement.
‘It was a very well written letter and I am impressed with it,’ said Nazmul.
‘From the day of the suspension till date his behaviour does not indicate anything negative.
‘So we are seeing some positive sign in him for the first time,’ he said adding that they will consider Sakib’s appeal only after the Eid-ul-Fitr, effectively ruling out of the West Indies tour.
‘I don’t think there is any chance of him getting into the West Indies squad,’ said Nazmul.
‘He had submitted an appeal and we have to discuss the issue as it was a collective decision of the board members,’ said Nazmul.
‘I can take a decision on my own but this is a very important matter and needs to be placed in front of the board members,’ he added.
Bangladesh will leave home for West Indies on August 13 for two Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.
Though Sakib has no chance of joining the West Indies tour party, Nazmul indicated they will consider his appeal in a positive manner.
‘Actually we are not against any player and surely not against such a star player like Sakib,’ he said.
‘All we want is that he develops some human qualities as that have an impact on the team as well.’
Nazmul Hasan added that the BCB is mulling the idea of making arrangements for counselling for Sakib and other players.
‘If a player has a problem it is the duty of the BCB to rectify it,’ said Nazmul.
‘We are seriously thinking of making him go through some counselling as well as for those who are having similar kind of problems,’ he added.
-With New Age input
