Shahadat Hossain returns to competitive cricket after 18 months

Bangladesh fast bowler Shahadat Hossain, who was banned for five years in November 2019 for slapping a teammate during a first-class game, is now back in action playing the Dhaka Premier Division match on Saturday, June 5.

Hossain lost his cool on his teammate Arafat Sunny Jr during a National Cricket League (NCL) match in Khulna. Apparently, Sunny Jr refused to shine the ball and this didn’t go too well with the senior bowler who could not control his emotions and slapped him.

This behavior was not liked by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials and they wanted to teach Hossain a lesson by imposing a five-year ban.

Although there is not an official word as yet to reduce the ban on the pace bowler, he was allowed to finally return to some competitive cricket after 18 months, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Shahadat Hossain apologized for misbehavior

Hossain apologized for his misbehavior in March and said that he wanted to return to cricket to get some funds for his mother’s treatment.

“I regret my actions. I was wrong, and I will try not to do it again. I won’t have any problem for the rest of my career. My mother is a cancer patient. I want to return to cricket, to help my mother’s treatment,” the 34-year-old spoke at a press conference.

Back in February, the fast bowler had requested the BCB to consider reducing his ban since his mother is battling with cancer and he needs funds for her treatment. BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan had commented that they would look into the matter.

“He is facing a lot of problems in his family. His mother is diagnosed with cancer. He is not playing cricket now, so when he called me, I spoke to a few directors. We have requested the BCB’s disciplinary committee. We are hopeful to get a positive result from them. I have also informed the board president, who is also positive about him. Insha Allah, we hope that he can play in the NCL.”

Hossain has featured in 95 matches across formats for Bangladesh picking up 123 wickets.