BCB requested to reduce Shakib ban

Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh captain, has confirmed that there was a request made to the BCB president Nazmul Hassan to reduce Shakib Al Hasan's suspension. The board punished Shakib for "making an inappropriate gesture on live television" during the second Bangladesh-Sri Lanka ODI.

Along with coach Shane Jurgensen and Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur asked Hassan to reconsider the ban, immediately after Bangladesh's six-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in the third ODI.

"We have talked to [BCB president Nazmul Hassan] Papon bhai," Mushfiqur said. "We said that we respect the board's decision and whoever does such a thing should be punished. There is no greater punishment for a player than suspension.

"We have asked him that if there can be any consideration for the sake of the team, whether his suspension can be reduced. Papon bhai has said that he will look into the matter."

Mushfiqur has said the concern comes on the back of injuries to several senior players. Tamim Iqbal is already out with a neck injury while Mashrafe Mortaza's troublesome knees could also be a problem. Mushfiqur himself have been suffering from a finger injury which prevented him from keeping wickets in the one-dayers against Sri Lanka.

"Tamim [Iqbal] isn't playing while Mashrafe bhai is an injury concern. I am not sure whether I can keep wickets. This is why we made the request.

"The coach, Mashrafe bhai and I don't have an obligation to bring back Shakib. We have thought only in the best interest of the Bangladesh team. He is an important player, and by picking him, I don't have to think about an extra batsman and bowler. The board will decide because we have only made a request."

Though the BCB has not made any official comment on the matter, the public backlash will stop the board from rethinking the earlier decision to ban Shakib for three matches.

"I don't think the ban will be reduced. The decision is already taken, so there is very little chance that we will reconsider it," said a BCB director requesting anonymity.