Malik Returns To Fortune Camp Ahead Of Last Sylhet Phase Game 

Fortune Barishal said on Monday that Pakistani senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik will return ahead of their last Sylhet phase game, scheduled against Khulna Tigers at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on February 3.

“Pakistani senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik will rejoin with the Fortune Barishal on 2 February 2024. In Sylhet phase Barishal will play last game against Khulna on 3 February,” the franchise said in a statement on Wednesday.

Malik left Barishal’s camp in the middle of the tournament due to personal reasons.

Lot of drama took place following the departure of Malik that ended after Fortune Barisal retracted the fixing aspersion cast on their player Shoaib Malik  on January 26.

Weirdly, the franchise’s dismissal came hours after team owner Mizanur Rahman was quoted on a private TV Channel urging the Anti Corruption Unit to take note after Malik bowled three no balls in his fourth over and gave away 18 runs during their third match against Khulna Tigers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on January 22.

Mizanur changed his tone on the team’s Facebook page on Friday, quashing the fixing fire he himself had fanned. “Last few days we are hearing a lot about Shoaib Malik. I deeply protest against it and he is a good player and he had given his best for our team and so we don’t want to discuss about it any further,” he said.

Mizanur also dismissed reports that the franchise had terminated Malik’s contract because of allegations of fixing. He revealed that Malik had in-fact gone to the UAE after the team’s last match but asked for an extension of a leave which was rejected by the franchise, who eventually replaced him with Ahmed Shehzad.