The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Thursday (August 4) that it would not permit Shakib Al Hasan to hold a sponsorship deal with any betting related company. It is worth noting that Shakib was banned from all forms of competitive cricket for a year in 2019 after he accepted three charges of breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code.
The top all-rounder recently took to his social media accounts to announce his partnership with Betwinner News and said, “Dear fans! I am proud to announce my new official partnership with Betwinner News!”
Soon BCB said that they will will investigate the recent social-media post from the all-rounder announcing his partnership with a betting brand.
Betwinner News is a surrogate brand for Betwinner which holds an online gambling license from the government of Curacao and is under parent company 1X Corp N.V.
Bangladesh, like India doesn’t permit any form of betting and gambling. Allowing gambling businesses to operate is in contravention to the law as well as the constitution of the country.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan said that the cricket governing body will serve Shakib a notice for not informing them of the sponsorship deal. “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, Nazmul said. “That means he did not ask any permission from us. Second we have to know whether he had really signed a deal or not,” Nazmul was quoted by CricBuzz.
The BCB president mentioned that he himself will speak to Shakib on the issue. “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.”
“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 according to CricBuzz.