Raqibul Hasan has contract terminated

Raqibul Hasan, the Bangladesh batsman who retired on the eve of the Test series against England before subsequently overturning the decision a week later, has had his contract terminated by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and won't be considered for selection for three months.

Raqibul threw Bangladesh's plans into disarray the day before the opening Test in Chittagong when he announced his retirement plans on the team bus. However, on March 17 he sent another letter to the board reversing his decision.

"The board considers Raqibul's conduct in the whole affair as disruptive to the preparation of the Bangladesh team ahead of a highly important Test match," a statement said. "It was a serious breach of discipline on part of a contracted player and unbecoming of an international cricketer.

"As such the board has terminated his contract with immediate effect and he will not be considered for selection in the national team for three months effective from 19 March to 19 June 2010. However he will be allowed to participate in domestic cricket competitions."

That decision rules him out the World Twenty20, although he hadn't been named in the preliminary squad for that event, and more significantly Bangladesh's tour of England which starts at the end of May. However, he will be eligible for selection by the time the one-day series in England takes place in July.

Raqibul's move was in response to being omitted from the one-day series against England and also the preliminary World Twenty20 squad, although there were also reports of disagreement between board and selectors over his place in the Test squad. He had been earmarked for a Test recall after an impressive warm-up match for Bangladesh A against England where he made 107 and 51.

"The board believes that timely punitive measures would discourage other players from taking similar path in future and has decided that very strict actions will be taken against cricketers who break discipline and BCB's code of conduct," the statement added.

Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach, had earlier indicated that he hoped to have Raqibul available for the Tests in England. "We've spoken to him, but it is still up to a board decision to release him back to play," he said.

"That's not happening yet so he's left his run a little bit late. I would have had him back no problem but there's a few little delays happening. Hopefully we'll have him back for the England tour and the Asia Cup."