Sport Desk:

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan says he is expecting his teammates will love him as they did before he was banned by the ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches made to him.

The all-rounder is all set to make a comeback to competitive cricket when BCB will host a five-team T20 league later this month. Before taking part in this league, Shakib has to undergo a fitness test on November 9. If he does well in the test, he will be allowed to play in the league.

Shakib has recently published a video on his YouTube channel where he answered many questions sent to him by the media and his fans.

Replying to a question about whether his teammates would love and believe in him like before, he said: “It’s a tough question. I don’t know who is thinking what. I agree that they have reason to doubt me or not to believe me. But, I expect them to believe me as they did before. I have always maintained good communication with them. I never felt that they have any problem with me.

“I think the incident was something that can create doubt in someone’s mind. I have no regrets about it. But, I believe they will accept me like before.”

Shakib was given the ban in October 2019, which ended on October 29 this year. He is now available to play any form of cricket at any stage.

Shakib passed most of the parts of the last year in the USA with his family. He had come back in September to prepare for the Sri Lanka tour. But, as the series was postponed, he went back to the USA. The allrounder is expected to return to Dhaka on November 5 and take preparation for the fitness test on November 9.

The proposed T20 league will be Shakib’s first competitive cricket event after the ban. He might get a chance to get back to international cricket early next year when West Indies are scheduled to tour Bangladesh for a full series.

“It was a great practice programme for me in BKSP (in September). I had planned to continue that programme for15-20 more days. But due to the postponement of Sri Lanka series, I couldn’t do that. I think it’ll not be a problem. I have a few days before the T20 league. I think it’ll be enough to get prepared,” Shakib told the media. (Source: UNB)