Shahadat Hossain banned for three years after assaulting teammate

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued the reprimand in addition to a fine of Taka 3 lacs following a physical confrontation with Arafat Sunny

Ex-Bangladesh seamer Shahadat Hossain has been hit with a five-year ban, two years of which are suspended, after being found guilty of assaulting a teammate during the National Cricket League.

The 33-year-old, who has played 38 Tests, 51 one-day internationals and six T20s for his country, is alleged to have attacked teammate Arafat Sunny during day two of the game between Dhaka Division and Khulna Division.

Shahadat is understood to have been angered by Arafat's failure to keep the shiny side of the ball intact, leading to the confrontation and his subsequent dismissal from the field and for the final two days of the game.

Match referee Akhtar Ahmed said Shahadat's actions constituted a level four breach of the code of conduct, which would lead to a hefty punishment.

A one-year ban was expected to be among the reprimands but the Bangladesh Cricket Board have concluded that Shahadat's behaviour requires a greater punishment.

BBC Bangla understands the player will appeal against the ruling and has until next week to lodge a complaint.

Despite having made close to a century of appearances for Bangladesh across all formats, Shahadat hasn't played international cricket for four years since facing Pakistan in a Test in Dhaka in May 2015.

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