Not a gentleman

The core issue of cricket at any level is that "it is a gentleman's game" which Shakib unfortunately fails to appreciate. The BCCB has taken the right decision. It could well have been more like banning him forever from cricket anywhere. If this too does not rectify him, he should be totally banned from playing cricket and his passport cancelled as it was issued through the BCCB's good offices. This should be conveyed to him in clear terms.

As an amateur inter-college level cricketer way back in early 1950s, we always followed this principle. The solitary exception usually was to stand the ground for any soft snick or edge being caught, or we thought it could be a 'no-ball' unless the umpire's finger went up.

Shakib is the opposite, and one could say he is not a 'gentleman as such'. He has shown no respect or obedience to the cricketing authorities repeatedly over the years; because he thinks that he is indispensable. We should 'take the bull by the horn'. Should he betray again, we must be prepared for Shakib-less days and he should be sent back "to the dust from whence he sprung-- unwept, un-honoured and unsung." After all 'man is mortal'; and as far as cricket we should be ready for Shakib's absence. If this is not done, other cricketers will follow suit and cite his example as their justification. This needs to be nipped in the bud. I believe that all the money, coming through cricket, has unhinged him and he needs to be brought down to earth.

S A Mansoor

Dhaka