Shakib cancels Betwinner News deal

After the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) took a stern position against contract with a betting company brand, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan cancelled his contract, reports UNB.

"Shakib sent us a letter confirming the cancellation of his contract with that company," Nizamuddin Chowdhury, told the news agency on Thursday evening.

Earlier, president of BCB Nazmul Hasan gave Shakib Al Hasan a stern warning by saying that they will cancel all relationships with the ace allrounder if his sponsorship deal with Betwinner News -- a sister concern of betting site Betwinner -- is not revoked.

"If Shakib continues with the Betwinner News the board will not consider him for the national team," said Nazmul.

The BCB had been caught off guard after the star player's recent admission that he joined the Betwinner News as its brand ambassador. He defended his decision saying the organisation has nothing to do with betting.

According to BCB's regulation, no cricketer is allowed to work with any organisation that is involved in betting-related activities. BCB's regulation also mandates every cricketer to inform it prior to making any business contract with any organization, which Shakib failed to do before his contract with Betwinner News.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy against betting and betting-related activities," Nazmul told the media on Thursday. "If he continues his contract with that organisation, we will not consider him for the national team."

He also added that the board has asked Shakib to clear his position on whether he is going to cancel the contract or not.

Shakib is currently staying in the USA with his family.

He was previously banned by the ICC due to his continuous contact with a proven book-maker and not reporting it to the respective authority. He was also banned by the BCB for his continuous misbehaving off and on the field.