State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel has said support for Shakib al Hasan will remain regardless of any decision taken by International Cricket Council (ICC) against the all-rounder regarding a breach in code of conduct.

“Shakib al Hasan did not disclose the fact that he was approached by match fixers. I have learnt about the issue after it was reported by a national daily. The cricket board also informed me that they too were not aware of it,” the minister said while replying to journalists at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

“Reports on what action ICC will take in this regard is not considerable.  However, we will continue to stand beside Shakib al Hasan even if ICC decides to take a tough stance. We will try to find ways to save him.”

Mentioning that the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has full control over the issue, the minister also added: “It is a matter for ACU to decide. We have no scope to intervene here. However, we have been closely monitoring the situation after the issue surfaced in the media.”

Deshsangbad/fh/mmh