Bangladesh's Shakib cancels deal with betting site after BCB ultimatum

Shakib last week announced a partnership with Betwinner news, a portal operated by the gambling firm based on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Thursday cancelled an endorsement deal with a betting site hours after the Bangladesh Cricket Board issued an ultimatum to him to either ditch it or face the axe by the national team.

"Shakib gave a letter to us saying that he was terminating his contract with Betwinner news and removing all posts from his social media pages regarding the deal," BCB cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus told AFP.

Shakib last week announced a partnership with Betwinner news, a portal operated by the gambling firm based on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.

He wrote on his social media pages that it was the "one and only source of sports news!"

All forms of gambling are illegal in Bangladesh—although it is rampant during cricket matches when underground punters exploit a brief delay between live play and official broadcasts—and cricket administrators were quick to seek an explanation from the player.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan on Thursday said they had asked Shakib to choose between the national team and Betwinner and the issue was non-negotiable.

"There is no question of second thoughts," he told reporters. "He has to come out of this, otherwise, he will not be in the squad," Mr. Nazmul said in Dhaka.