Bangladesh officials reject reports of Hossain being kicked out of WC for meeting bookie

Reports that Bangladesh paceman Al-Amin Hossain was kicked out of the World Cup for meeting a bookmaker in Brisbane have been strongly denied by their cricket team's officials.

It had been reportedly claimed initially that Hossain was being sent home for breaking a 10pm curfew ahead of Bangladesh's washed-out match against Australia in Brisbane last weekend.

However, a Dhaka-based English language newspaper claimed that the pacemen had been under observation by the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), News.com.au reported.

The newspaper quoted an unnamed official as saying that Hossain gave three different versions regarding his late-night outing when questioned by team management, with the first one being that the paceman went to buy a SIM card, which raised more suspicion as the player had already one with him.

The other claim from Hossain was that he went to a nightclub but BCB officials were not ready to accept this story either because they found it hard to believe that the paceman would visit a nightclub alone in bad weather.

However, Bangladesh media boss Jalal Yunus insisted the only charge of indiscipline against Hossain was staying out late at night and had nothing to do with any alleged corruption.

Yunus claimed that the ACSU has informed them that they have nothing against Hossain, but he added that the BCB took action because they have a no-tolerance policy for not obeying team orders.

Yunus said that there is no truth in reports that Hossain was sent home because of alleged links with bookies.