Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik is all set to join the BPL franchise Barishal Fortune on February 2 after pulling out of the competition a few days back. He will be available for the team’s last game of the Sylhet leg, against Khulna Tigers on February 3, as per ESPNCricinfo.
He left the BPL abruptly after playing just three games with the Barishal owner Mizanur Rahman, who said that Malik’s contract was till February 14. Malik has batted at six in all the previous six games he played for the franchise.
“He left after the third game and told me that he wants to come back on February 6. We have [next] three games in Sylhet, so I told him that it won’t work for us. I think he went to meet his family in Dubai” Mizanur said in that chat.
The reason behind Malik leaving the tournament midway was not clear. He tweeted saying that he had a thorough discussion with the Barsiahal skipper Tamim Iqbal on his future course of action.
“I would like to address and dismiss the recent rumours circulating about my playing position with Fortune Barishal. I had a thorough discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, and we mutually planned the way forward. I had to leave Bangladesh for a pre-committed media engagement in Dubai” tweeted Malik.
Shoaib Malik Accused Of Match Fixing Charges In BPL 2024
Malik had three poor outings with the bat where he scored 7, 5*, and 17* respectively. He also came under scanner for bowling three no-balls against Khulna Tigers in one of their league matches in the ongoing season. The right-arm off-break bowler had conceded 18 runs in this over as Fortune Barishal went on to lose against Khulna Tigers. A fellow Bangladesh journalist linked this act by Malik to alleged match fixing but the former Pakistan skipper denied the claim.
The incident happened in Mirpur on January 22 where Malik had bowled three no-balls. The Fortune Barishal failed to defend 187 in that match against the Tigers. Barishal are currently fifth on the points table with two wins from five games.
A Bangladesh media house questioned the team owner about BCB’s anti-corruption unit and was looking into Malik’s on-field antics.
“They should [do it]. That would be good. An offspinner bowling three no-balls in an over is really absurd. That’s where we lost that match” said the Fortune Barishal owner, Mizanur Rahman.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik took the internet by storm by announcing his marriage with Sana Javed a Pakistani actress. The news came on the back of divorce reports between Malik and Sania Mirza. The couple were married for almost 12-13 years. They both tied the knot in 2010 and had a son by the name of Izhaan Mirza Malik, born in 2018.
“Shoaib Malik is a good player. He gave his 100% to our team. He tried his level best. We haven’t complained about him to anyone. Let us not talk about it and make it a big deal. We have lost two matches, so we should concentrate on the next matches” said Barisha team owner Mizanur Rahman regarding the controversy surrounding the triple no-balls by Malik.
