Bangladesh cricket authorities said Tuesday they would lift the ban on Shakib Al Hasan from September 15 after the star all-rounder begged for a review of his six-month suspension for bad behaviour.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan made the announcement after a board meeting in Dhaka, saying Shakib had repented.
"We've seen some positive things in Shakib's attitude since the ban was imposed. We're also satisfied at his letter that he gave to us (appealing for a review). We believe he has realised his mistakes," Hassan said.
"We've decided to lift his ban from September 15. He will now be available for selection for the Asian Games, Zimbabwe series and the domestic league," he said, adding the ban on Shakib appearing in foreign leagues would however continue until December 31.
Bangladesh host fellow minnows Zimbabwe for a month-long Test and limited over series from October.
Without Shakib, who this month led the International Cricket Council's top all-rounders list, Bangladesh lost all-three one-day international matches against the West Indies in the Caribbean including a humiliating 70-run score in the second ODI.
Shakib, the country's most popular sportsman, vowed last month that he would "behave in a more mature way" in an passionate public plea after the BCB on July 7 imposed the ban because of his "severe attitude problem".
"Nothing can be more painful than staying away from cricket," Shakib, the world's leading all-rounder, said last month in his first comments since the ban.
Shakib, who has a history of discipline problems, was also barred from playing in any cricket leagues abroad until December next year -- even after his ban on international cricket expires.
The suspension came after he reportedly threatened to quit international cricket when he was called back to Dhaka before his planned appearance in the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
Shakib was travelling to the Caribbean without any clearance from the BCB. He had also "misbehaved" with the new national coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, Hassan had said without giving any details.
Shakib was banned for three matches in February for an indecent gesture to local fans, a suspension that kept him out of key Asia Cup matches.
In June Shakib beat up a spectator who reportedly used abusive language against the player's wife during an Bangladesh-India match.
The left-hander has played 34 Tests, scoring 2,278 runs with a batting average of 37.96 and taken 122 wickets, the country's highest.
He has played 134 one-day internationals scoring 3,835 runs and taking 171 wickets.
Source: AFP
