|| CF Correspondent ||

The millions of Shakib fans around the globe greeted the news of Bangladesh’s premier cricketer admitting to charges relating to match-fixing with a mixture of disappointment, bemusement and anger. 

On the face of it, the bare facts of the charges bought against Shakib are extremely damming; failure to report two separate approaches by someone seeking inside information, over a period of four months. As stated by the ICC, it’s inexcusable for such an experienced international player, someone who’s played at the highest level for over a decade all around the world, not to report contact with someone asking for confidential information. By not disputing the charges and in effect admitting his guilt, Shakib has not only lessened the length of his ban, but also to a degree silenced those who have sought some kind of conspiracy. It is perhaps only natural for supporters to look for scapegoats when a cricketing hero is convicted of such a profound crime and by extension, the reputation of the country has been stained. While there can be no doubt about his wrongdoing, there are certain unanswered questions which will inevitably raise eyebrows.
There has often been a contradictory and defensive attitude, not only in Bangladesh but throughout the sub-continent, in the reaction to those found guilty of match fixing or corruption, particularly when it involves an idolized player. In part this is because corruption is a daily part of life in much of South Asia, it’s encouraged by dysfunctional governments, and any interaction with authority at all levels requires some form of baksheeshin order to get things done. When seen through this prism, the crime committed by a corrupt cricketer isn’t viewed as anything out of the ordinary but merely an attempt to maximise his wealth. The adulation received by Mohammed Ashraful from Bangladesh spectators during the World Cup perfectly encapsulates the counter intuitive attitude that some fans have towards corrupt cricketers.

A turbulent week for Shakib

There were indications that all was not quite right with Shakib in the days before the ban was announced, he had missed two days of the training camp convened ahead of the India tour, with no clear reason given for his absence. And less than 24 hours before the ban came into effect, BCB chiefPapon spoke about how he believed Shakib wouldn’t be travelling to India without going into detail about why. It’s been a turbulent week for the BCB and Shakib, the ban being announced just a few days after Shakib led an unprecedented player strike and ostensibly persuading the BCB to give in to their demands for improved pay and better cricket infrastructure. This has led to a strained relationship between Shakib and the BCB, which in turn has fostered speculation about how supportive the BCB have been towards Shakib in the face of the corruption charges. The BCB however have strenuously denied any role in the investigation. 
The timing of the charges against Shakib have also potentially shed new light on his motivations behind leading the player strike. It’s possible that Shakib knew that the ban would be announced imminently, emboldening him to take a strong stand against the BCB, a final act of defiance before a period of exile. The fact that news of the corruption charges came so soon after Shakib played such an integral and selfless role during the player strike, will only increase the sense of his supporters being let down.

The role of the ICC Anti Corruption Unit

While no one would dispute that all forms of corruption must be eradicated from cricket, a particular priority since the high profile spot fixing case involving Mohammed Amir, Mohammed Asif and Salman Butt, the ICC ACU’s handling of this case does leave some untidy loose ends. It’s unclear whether the fixer at the heart of the investigation, Deepak Aggarawal, has been arrested and charged or if a criminal investigation is underway. Also there’s an unanswered question about when Mr Aggarawal became recognised to the ICC ACU as a fixer; if he was known to be involved in criminal activity prior to the first approach towards Shakib in January 2018, was this information passed onto players? It’s hoped that these questions will be addressed in the near future.
There is also a wider issue of how many other players are out there who have received illegal approaches but don’t report them or perhaps don’t even realise that something remiss has taken place. With the huge numbers of cronies and hangers-on that surround the Bangladesh team, and indeed other international teams, it’s not uncommon for players to find themselves in the company of people who they think they can trust when the opposite might be true. The ICC ACU has undoubtedly done much to educate players and raise awareness about corruption in the game, but Shakib’s story illustrates how there is still much more work to be done.
What next for Shakib & Bangladesh?

Being denied the right to play competitive cricket for 12 months will be an immense hardship for Shakib, his form and fitness will clearly be impacted and there are no guarantees that he will be able to slot straight back into the team. He can take solace in the experiences of another Test captain who was also forced out of the game for a year but returned in stunning fashion, Steve Smith. Smith’s phenomenal run scoring during the Ashes was a result of being rested from the rigours of international cricket and returning with increased drive and energy. Similar time away from the spotlight of international cricket may actually help Shakib in the long run, a much-needed opportunity to recharge and reinvigorate himself. During the bans experienced by Smith and Warner, they were allowed to play in some lucrative franchise tournaments, those in Canada and Bangladesh being among them. It’s conceivable that the ICC could relax the terms of Shakib’s ban, allowing him to take part in selected tournaments. Despite not being picked up during the recent player draft of the new Hundred competition, a smart franchise would be closely monitoring his availability.