Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder Shakib al Hasan recently announced his partnership with “Betwinner news” (betting-related company) in a social media post and it has aroused a lot of concerns. As per the laws of Bangladesh, a lot of prohibitions have been placed on gambling-related establishments and the Bangladesh board is quite serious about the issue. Shakib had already been banned for a year in 2019 when he accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Code of conduct in anti-corruption-related issues. Although there haven’t been any confirmations yet, Shakib might land in trouble again if the company is found to be involved in gambling-related activities. The BCB President Nazmul Hassan underlined two things on the matter stating that the board wouldn’t provide permission for anything related to betting and secondly, the confirmation if Shakib has signed a deal with them.
He further explained that the matter will be contested seriously if it’s proved and was quite strict about anything related to betting. “There are two things. Firstly there is no chance of taking permission because we won’t give permission. If there is anything related with betting we won’t give any permission. That means he did not ask any permission from us. Second we have to know whether he had really signed a deal or not. In today’s meeting the issue was raised and we said how can it happen, because it is impossible. If that happens ask him immediately. Serve him notice and ask him how it happened because the board will not allow it. If it is related with betting we won’t allow that. We have said that today,” BCB President, Nazmul Hassan said. Hassan reckoned that some members of the board are unsure if the company is related to gambling and noted the difficulty of taking a decision.
He added that the board has to know what had happened in the matter and wanted a thorough investigation on it. “Some are saying in the board that it might not be related with that (Betwinner is an online gambling portal) and in that case we are unable to take a decision. Still I have asked them to know it as soon as possible. Board’s stance is very clear that it is impossible for us. [But] first we have to know what he has done. This (betting related activities) is not only in cricket but in this country it is prohibited and the law does not permit it. This is a serious issue. We cannot depend on Facebook posting or things like that we have to investigate it. If it is true, than board will take necessary steps,” Nazmul added.
