Did Shoaib Malik Fix the Game? BPL Franchise Fortune Barishal’s Owner Answers
Shoaib will not take any further part in the BPL 2024. (X.com)
Fortune Barishal owner Mizanur Rahman dismissed rumors of suspected spot-fixing involving their Pakistani recruit, Shoaib Malik, who left for Dubai after the Dhaka phase of the 10th Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Malik departed from Bangladesh a couple of days ago, planning to rejoin the team before the Sylhet phase. However, he won't be returning to participate in the tournament, extending his trip to February 5 due to personal reasons.
Consequently, the franchise terminated Malik's contract due to his prolonged absence. Following the termination, news outlets reported allegations of match-fixing, citing three no-balls bowled by Malik in a single over during a recent BPL match.
Malik's abrupt departure, coupled with the peculiar bowling incident, led to speculation and raised concerns. However, Mizanur Rahman addressed the issue, protesting against the rumors in a video message posted on the team's social media page.
"We have heard many things about Shoaib Malik in the past few days, and I protest those rumors. Shoaib Malik is a good player, and he has given his best for the team. So we don't want to discuss the issue anymore. Since we lost two consecutive matches, we would want to concentrate on our upcoming games and look to win the next match and reach the final," Mizanur Rahman said in a video message.
Barisal has affirmed their willingness to enlist Malik's services if necessary in the future. Malik participated in three matches for Fortune Barishal during the Dhaka leg of the BPL 2024 domestic T20 tournament.
Across these matches, the seasoned cricketer contributed 29 runs and claimed a solitary wicket. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Fortune Barishal's triumph over Rangpur Riders in a low-scoring encounter in Mirpur on January 20.
During that match, Malik surpassed the 13,000-run milestone in T20 cricket, becoming only the second cricketer after Chris Gayle to achieve this feat. Following Malik's departure, Fortune Barishal promptly revealed their replacement by signing the all-rounder's former Pakistan teammate, Ahmed Shehzad, for the remaining season.
Despite boasting a star-studded lineup, Barishal appears somewhat thin in the bowling department, facing challenges with the NOC of certain overseas players. Constructing squads for this year's BPL has been particularly demanding due to several other T20 leagues coinciding with the tournament schedule.
Nevertheless, Mizanur remains hopeful that these issues will be resolved promptly, allowing the team to focus on their upcoming matches and navigate the competition successfully.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
