No reduction in Shakib ban, says BCB president

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has ruled out any reduction to Shakib Al Hasan's three-match suspension, handed down by the board for an inappropriate gesture. He also expressed his concern over Mushfiqur Rahim's comments where the Bangladesh captain said he wasn't consulted over the selection of the Asia Cup squad.

Shakib was suspended on the eve of the third ODI against Sri Lanka for an inappropriate gesture he made on live television during the second match. After the series ended, Mushfiqur, the Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen and Mashrafe Mortaza had requested Hassan to rethink Shakib's punishment. Mushfiqur later said the request was made for the sake of the team composition for their Asia Cup matches against India and Afghanistan.

Hassan, however, said the punishment would act as a deterrent to future indiscretions by players.

"It was difficult to take the decision against him and it is equally difficult to overturn that decision," Nazmul said. "I told the team management that I have nothing against Shakib the person. We have taken an action against his behaviour. Shakib is not an issue here. Anyone who does such a thing will be punished. I don't see any way we can reduce the punishment.

"We took the decision on Shakib to give the message that nobody is above the law. I think after sometime, nobody will even think of doing such a thing."

Hassan said that while he hadn't discussed the selection issue with either Mushfiqur or chief selector Faruque Ahmed, but was disappointed at the sudden public airing of grievances.

"It was not good to hear such a comment from him at this time," Hassan said. "He should have told us first. I don't know what compelled him to tell the media first. Of course, I need to know the background. I haven't spoken to [former chief selector] Akram Khan but if he tells me that he consulted Mushfiqur before selecting the squad, I would say that there has been a communication gap between the captain and the new chief selector.

"From what I have gathered from Mushfiqur's comments, where do we have so many alternatives? We don't have 4-5 players to choose from. This team has been playing well for the past two years, but there can be a question about why Mahmudullah isn't there? I don't think there was any other player worth changing other than him. It is sad if such issues are made about one or two players."