Sports Desk:

World’s no-1 all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has asked his fans and followers to stay calm and show patience over the sanction imposed on him.

He made this appeal through a Facebook post in the early hours on Saturday morning.

His message comes after the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from all cricket for two years on October 29, with one year suspended, for failing to report three corrupt approaches.

Shakib said, “To all my fans and well wishers, let me start by saying that I have been touched and felt blessed by your unconditional support and affection during what has been a very difficult time for me and my family. In the last few days I have realised more than ever what it means to represent your country.”

“On that note, I am requesting calm and patience from all my supporters who may have felt aggrieved at the sanction imposed on me.”

He also said, “I wish to make it very clear that the entire investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit was confidential and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) only came to know about it from me just a few days before the announcement of the sanction. From that point onwards, the BCB has been most supportive and understanding of my situation and I am grateful for that.”

Shakib, who has played 56 Tests, 206 ODIs and 76 Twenty20 internationals, is Bangladesh’s biggest sporting hero and has regularly topped the ICC rankings for all-rounders since 2009.

At this year’s World Cup in England, Shakib scored more than 600 runs and picked up 11 wickets. He also became the fastest cricketer to reach 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in one-day internationals.

After the ban, Shakib stepped down from the MCC World Cricket committee, which said it was “sorry” to lose him but supported his resignation, which was “the right decision”.