Shakib likely to get Big Bash go-ahead

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said Shakib Al Hasan's participation in this season's Big Bash League is all but confirmed. Hasan said the decision to overturn the embargo on his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) will be made official on Thursday after collecting the board members' signatures over the next two days.

Three weeks ago, Hassan had said Shakib was close to regaining his NOC for showing "leadership skills" in the Test series against Zimbabwe. Now he said Shakib would get a decision in time to find a Big Bash team, ahead of the tournament that begins on December 18. Shakib has played two Big Bash matches for Adelaide Strikers in the 2013-14 season.

"I think we will get a decision by tomorrow since our board meeting is still some time away," Hassan said. "I have spoken to Shakib even today. We will get everyone's signatures by tomorrow. I am going abroad tonight, will return on Thursday. We are not making the decision in the meeting.

"We already got most of the directors' verbal decisions. We have some left. We will make an official decision on Thursday when I arrive at the airport. If it was my decision, I would have said he can play [in the Big Bash]. But the board takes the decision. I don't have the right to give the decision on my own. But since we are taking a board decision, we don't want to take it without prolonged discussion among ourselves."

On July 7, Shakib was banned for six months and told he wouldn't be granted an NOC to play in overseas competitions until the end of 2015. He was punished for "serious misbehaviour" with Chandika Hathurusingha, the Bangladesh coach, and an altercation with a spectator during the first ODI against India in Mirpur.

On August 26, the BCB reduced his ban by three a half months, letting him play from September 15. Shakib was then made vice-captain for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. He was man of the series in the Tests against Zimbabwe and played a stellar role in Bangladesh's 5-0 ODI series win.