Shoaib Malik, Pakistan’s cricketing veteran, finds himself embroiled in controversy once again. His Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) journey with Fortune Barishal has abruptly ended, shrouded in a cloud of match-fixing suspicions.
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The controversy stems from Malik’s unusual bowling performance in their recent match against Khulna Tigers. He sent down just one over, conceding 18 runs including two boundaries and a six, a stark contrast to his usual economical spells. The icing on the cake? Three no-balls in that single over.
These inconsistencies raised eyebrows, culminating in reports of match-fixing investigations launched by the BPL governing body. While Malik was officially due to miss the remaining matches for personal reasons, his contract termination announced by Fortune Barishal suggests a deeper story.
Adding fuel to the fire, Barishal owner’s abrupt decision to replace Malik with compatriot Ahmed Shehzad further muddies the waters. Whether it’s simply performance-related or driven by the ongoing investigation remains unclear.
Malik, no stranger to match-fixing allegations (though cleared in 2010), has yet to publicly address the recent accusations. Fortune Barishal and the BPL have also maintained a tight-lipped approach, focusing on the investigation’s completion.
This sudden exit casts a shadow over the remainder of the BPL, leaving behind a trail of doubt and unanswered questions. Did Malik falter under pressure, or was there something more sinister at play? Only time and the ongoing investigation will provide the answers.
