Bangladesh pacer Hossain reportedly tortured maid

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday said it is "utterly embarrassed" at the implication of pacer Shahadat Hossain in a case for allegedly torturing his maid.

BCB Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury dubbed the episode "unfortunate" on Monday.

"We can't get the full picture until we speak with him but the incident is unexpected," Chowdhury was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com.

Hossain filed a police complaint at Mirpur on Sunday claiming his maid had gone missing. But several hours later, the 11-year-old girl alleged that the cricketer and his wife used to torture her.

The pacer and his wife have been absconding since being accused in a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

Police have sent the victim to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Cricket has a huge fan following in Bangladesh and BCB CEO Chowdhury says such allegations against a cricketer are "very uncomfortable".

"Such things are unexpected from a senior cricketer," Chowdhury said. "We're very embarrassed."

Chowdhury said they learnt about the incident from media reports but neither Hossain nor police had contacted them yet. He added that the board would decide on its action once Hossain got in touch.

"We're waiting for his version and I reiterate that we're truly embarrassed," he said. "It's not just about his image but it concerns Bangladesh cricket. Any such allegations send wrong signal to everyone."

Hossain last played for Bangladesh in May against Pakistan. He went off the field on the first day of the first Test following a leg injury.

The BCB had him treated in Australia and he was undergoing a rehabilitation programme.