All-rounder Sakib al Hasan received no sympathy for a lewd on-camera gesture during the second ODI against Sri Lanka which led him to a three-match suspension and a fine of Tk three lakh.
Sakib, often regarded as the image of Bangladesh’s cricket, disappointed the whole nation when he pointed towards his crotch and then towards the camera which was focused on him in the players’ dressing room soon after his dismissal for 24.
An official of host broadcasting channel Maasranga television said that Sakib made a similar gesture at least twice before they decided to bring it to the screen.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan took notice of his behaviour and ordered an immediate action prompting an inquiry on Friday.
It denied Sakib any leniency contrary to the past when he had escaped with mere reproaches despite serious acts of misconduct.
The lenient approaches that only made Sakib believe that he is above the rule, contributed to his recent behaviour, said former players, organisers and fans.
‘I totally support the BCB for taking the matter with utmost urgency and immediately reacting by taking action against him,’ said former national captain Aminul Islam on Saturday.
‘This would surely set an example for the future cricketers because it proves that nobody is indispensible,’ said Aminul.
‘It is very disappointing as we never expected anything like this from Sakib al Hasan,’ said Aminul, the first Test centurion of Bangladesh.
‘He is an idol for many youngsters and do have certain responsibilities that he cannot deny at any point. Considering it, this had really affected him as well as the game altogether,’ he added.
The gravity of his non-sporting action was taken into account in the popular social media network Facebook where users immediately condemned it with all their hearts, quite similar to the way they regularly back their national heroes in good and bad times.
‘I don’t want my son to be like Sakib al Hasan,’ said Monowara Aziz, a resident of Mirpur-6, who takes her 10-year old son to the Abahani ground thrice a week to a cricket coaching school.
‘There is no justification about his gesture. I was always asking my son [Shuvo] to become Sakib. Now I feel ashamed,’ said the disappointed mother.
‘It is important that everyone should remember that behaviour reflects your character and personality,’ she added of Sakib, who happens to be an UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
It is, however, not the only case that put his reputation as a gentleman in question, rather it was a culmination of many incidents.
Sakib raced towards the boundary rope near the sightscreen and threatened to hit a fan with his bat during a match against New Zealand in 2010 in what was his first public outburst.
Sakib exposed himself again in the ICC 2011 World Cup when he reacted to booing from the crowd with an indecent gesture after Bangladesh were dismissed for 58 against West Indies. He then questioned the performance of cricketers in newspaper columns forcing the BCB to impose a media gag on players.
During a Twenty20 competition in Sylhet last year, Sakib was involved in an altercation with a fan, but the BCB again remained silent.
When it all had gone out of proportion they had no choice but to make a decision despite knowing that it can jeopardise Bangladesh’s chances in the Asia Cup.
Sakib, who will now miss the matches against India on February 26 and Afghanistan on March 1, apologised on his facebook fan page, but it earned little sympathy for him.
‘Whether he learns his lesson or not is a matter of future to decide but it eventually proved limitless audacity can only ensure your downfall, said a BCB director.
-With New Age input
