Shoaib Malik's BPL contract terminated due to fixing? Cricketer, Fortune Barishal owner offer explanation

Pakistan cricket Shoaib Malik has released a strong-worded statement on social media amid news reports that the all-rounder’s contract with Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Fortune Barishal was terminated midway due to allegations of “match-fixing”. As per a few reports, Fortune Barishal decided to terminate Malik’s contract after the Pakistan cricketer bowled three no balls in an over in a game against Khulna Tigers in a BPL match on 22 January and the team owner Mizanur Rahman casted match fixing aspersions on a private TV channel asking the Anti Corruption Unit to look into the incident.

3 no-balls and 18 runs in one over. Not the best outing this week for Shoaib Malik.
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.#BPL2024 #BPLonFanCode #ShoaibMalik pic.twitter.com/PNmHeOqgJq

— FanCode (@FanCode) January 23, 2024

Malik in his statement said that he had to leave Bangladesh due to media commitments and not because his contract was cancelled.

“I would like to address and dismiss the recent rumors circulating about my playing position with Fortune Barishal. I had a thorough discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, and we mutually planned the way forward. I had to leave Bangladesh for a pre-committed media engagement in Dubai,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

The former Pakistan captain also urged the media to exercise “caution when it comes to rumors”.

Official statement ;
I would like to address and dismiss the recent rumors circulating about my playing position with Fortune Barishal. I had a thorough discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, and we mutually planned the way forward. I had to leave Bangladesh for a… pic.twitter.com/kmPqPt1nxv

— Shoaib Malik