Shakib Al Hasan might be the greatest Bangladeshi cricketer ever but his tendency to get into a series of controversies has also grabbed the headlines at regular intervals.

Currently, Shakib is playing in the Dhaka Premier League and once again found himself in the mix of a controversy. The 34-year-old kicked and uprooted the stumps in anger and even engaged in a verbal spat with the umpire after an LBW decision was not given in his favour.

On that note, let us scan through some of Shakib’s on and off-field controversies in the recent past.

Banned by ICC for failing to report approaches by bookies

Shakib was penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not reporting match-fixing approaches made by the bookies during the 2018 Indian T20 League. The governing body gathered necessary evidence against the Bangladeshi cricketer and banned him from playing for a year. Later on, Shakib admitted his mistake and vowed to report any such instances going ahead.

Country vs Club 

Ahead of the 2021 Indian T20 League, Shakib had requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for a NOC to play in the richest T20 league of the world instead of representing his country against New Zealand. Despite initially agreeing, the BCB mulled the option of withdrawing the NOC given to Shakib. The all-rounder believed that playing for Kolkata in the Indian T20 League would have given him the ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup.

Crotch Scratching 

In one of the 2014 Asia Cup games against Sri Lanka, Shakib was captured scratching his crotch. He was also fined heavily following his inappropriate on-field behaviour. Later, the BCB also admonished the all-rounder and suspended him from all forms of cricket. During that time, Shakib reportedly considered retiring from the game.  

No-ball episode in Sri Lanka 

In a T20 game against Sri Lanka in 2018, Shakib was furious with the umpire for not calling a no-ball after Lankan pacer Isuru Udana bowled two consecutive bouncers at him. The altercation with the umpire eventually led to another fine for Shakib. 

Reportedly beat up a fan in 2014 

During the rain break in an ODI against India, Shakib reportedly beat up a fan, who was apparently harassing his wife in Dhaka. Later, when the BCB held a hearing, the all-rounder announced to the media that he wasn’t aware that a player is not allowed to leave the dressing room during an international game.

Featured Image: AFP/Munir Uz Zaman