Shahadat Hossain's suspension from domestic cricket lifted

The BCB has lifted the temporary suspension on fast bowler Shahadat Hossain on "humanitarian grounds". Shahadat will be eligible to play domestic cricket but not international cricket until his legal problems are resolved; he is likely to play in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League.

"The BCB's disciplinary committee has taken the decision to withdraw the playing ban on Shahadat from humanitarian considerations following an appeal by the player," BCB chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said. "The ruling, effective from today, is applicable for participation in domestic cricket only. He will not be considered for national team selection until his legal issues are settled."

Shahadat expressed his gratitude to the board and said that he was "fully fit", although he hasn't played competitive cricket for over a year. "I felt really bad missing out on so much cricket, but I am thankful to the BCB for letting me play, and always helping me in my bad times," Shahadat said. "I tried to work on my fitness even when I was in jail. Now I am fully fit and I can bowl at my full strength. It is still not confirmed for which club I will play. I have been training for a long time with Mohammedan Sporting Club, so I could play for them. Or it could be any other club too."

Shahadat had been suspended in September 2015 after a case was registered against him and his wife under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on charges of assaulting their housemaid. They were arrested on October 5 and were granted bail in December.

Shahadat had appealed to the BCB in April this year for permission to play in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, but the board's disciplinary committee turned him down. AJM Nasir Uddin, the disciplinary committee chairman, had also said Shahadat would remain suspended unless the court dismissed the case. His name had been listed in the B+ category of the tournament roster subject to withdrawal of the suspension.

Shahadat's last appearance for Bangladesh was in May 2015, in the second Test against Pakistan in Mirpur. He bowled only two balls in the first innings before suffering a knee injury that ruled him out for six months, during which time he was charged for assault and suspended.