Shakib Al Hasan’s international exile set to end; Here is an explainer on the case which resulted in his ban

This left-arm allrounder has over 200 wickets and close to 4000 runs in Tests for Bangladesh. In ODIs, he has over 250 wickets 6323 runs with nine centuries and 47 fifties. In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, he smashed a fifty and took five wickets against Afghanistan and was one of the best allrounders in the tournament. He has also taken a five-wicket haul against every nation in Tests. For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan is the one-man demolition machine who has put their cricket on the world map. If there are records in Bangladesh cricket, then there is every chance that Shakib Al Hasan’s name will feature prominently in the list.

Thus, it is no surprise that Bangladesh and their fans are preparing for a carnival like atmosphere on Thursday. In an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, Mahmudullah, the Twenty20 International skipper in Shakib’s absence said, “Our boy is coming back home. We are eagerly awaiting his return back in the Bangladesh dressing room.”

Shakib is currently in the United States and is expected to be back in the country by the first week of November. The euphoria in Bangladesh will be unprecedented for his one-year ban imposed by the ICC will end on Thursday (October 29). Why was Shakib Al Hasan banned by the ICC? What was the case all about? Here is an explainer.

Why did Shakib Al Hasan get a one-year ban by the ICC?

Shakib was handed a two-year ban, with a one-year suspended sentence, by ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit on October 29 last year, for failing to report multiple corrupt approaches by an Indian bookmaker Deepak Aggarwal. Shakib during numerous interactions later has confessed that it was a mistake on his part to have not notified the authorities. He admitted to three breaches and he was handed the ban.

Is a ban legitimate for failing to report approaches?

Yes, the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Code 2.4.4 clearly states, “Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code. It is acknowledged that the assessment of whether there had been 'unnecessary delay' in each case will depend on its own circumstances, but it is always unacceptable (and will therefore constitute 'unnecessary delay') for a Participant to wait until after the match to engage in Corrupt Conduct before reporting that approach to the ACU.”

The reason for this code is because reporting any approach promptly and quickly will not cause any delay, which can hamper investigations.

What were the three instances?

The three offences related to two tournaments in 2018 which was an ODI tri-series in January involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and one match in the IPL, where he was a player with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Will Shakib get banned again? Will he be able to resume cricket?

Yes. Shakib Al Hasan will get banned again for a year if he fails to report the approach for the second time. He can resume cricket immediately but Bangladesh do not have a series lined up until January 2021.