Sabbir Rahman set to receive six-month ban for disciplinary issues

Bangladesh cricketer Sabbir Rahman is in danger of facing a six-month ban from international cricket after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) called him and two other cricketers –Nasir Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain for a hearing on their disciplinary issues.

Bangladesh cricketer Sabbir Rahman is in danger of facing a six-month ban from international cricket after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) called him and two other cricketers –Nasir Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain for a hearing on their disciplinary issues.

The hearing will take place on September 1 and the board won’t step back from punishing the cricketers against whom a number of disciplinary issues have been reported, declared BCB president Nazmul Hasan.

"They are called for a hearing on September 1. They need to have a chance for self-defence, so we called [for] the hearing and after hearing their side of the story, we will take a decision in this regard. The [disciplinary committee] will certainly take the required steps."

Fresh from serving a six-month ban from domestic cricket for assaulting a spectator during a first-class match in Rajsahi, last year, Sabbir ran into more trouble after indulging in a social media war of words with another fan. Sabbir was accused of abusing the fan, using foul language after being questioned for Bangladesh’s defeat to West Indies in the 2^nd ODI.

The scuffle led to Sabbir’s axing from the Bangladesh Asia Cup squad, announced on Thursday. This is the first time the right-hander has not found a place in the Bangladesh ODI squad since making his debut in 2014.  

According to BCB sources, Sabbir is expected to receive a six-month ban from international cricket. The other two cricketers, who were not involved in any on-field disciplinary issues, may get away with a word of caution.

Nasir Hussain’s partner Shah Humayra Suba shared one of their personal conversations on the social media and days after Mosaddek was accused of physically torturing his wife.

"They were punished but it seems they are not listening and if that is the case we need to take stern action,' said Nazmul. "For me, the biggest punishment is stripping them from the national team and if someone is not allowed to play in the national team what big punishment can he receive."

BCB are also planning to appoint a psychologist to counsel the players on both their on and off-field behaviours to avoid such situations in future. "We are thinking if we can appoint a psychologist who can train them in this regard [behaviour management]. We are also thinking to come up with guidelines where we put down in details about their do's and don'ts and make them sign on it.”