Multan Sultans unable to sign Shakib as Mahmudullah's replacement

Multan Sultans were not able to sign Bangladesh all-rounder Shakibal Hasan as Mahmudullah’s replacement for the PSL 5 playoffs after other PSL franchises objected to his inclusion.

Mahmudullah has been ruled out of the PSL 2020 playoffs after the Bangladeshi all-rounder tested positive for Covid-19 in the pre-departure test that was conducted in Bangladesh.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned Shakibal Hasan from all forms of cricket for two years, with one year of that suspended, after he accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The all-rounder was allowed to resume international cricket from October 29, 2020, after he met the conditions in the suspended part of his sanction.

According to sources, since Shakib was not part of the original draft, other franchises opposed the aforementioned move. Similarly, Faf Du Plessis was also not part of the original draft. However, since he was available to be picked by any team, Peshawar Zalmi signed the South African batsman for the playoffs.

Earlier, an Australia club wanted to sign Shakib for the upcoming Big Bash League season. But the move was blocked by a Cricket Australia (CA) integrity officer.  

According to PCB sources, there is no ban on Shakib for PSL on the basis of integrity, as he has already completed the duration of his ICC ban.

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It must be noted that the 33-year-old Bangladesh all-rounder has previously represented Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.

The remaining four matches of Pakistan’s marquee event, will be played in Karachi on November 14, 15 and 17.