The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has banned Shahadat Hossain for five years, with two of those suspended, after the seamer physically assaulted his teammate Arafat Sunny Jr during a National Cricket League game.

The incident took place on Sunday in a match between Dhaka Division and Khulna Division, with Shahadat reportedly attacking Arafat after an argument surrounding the shining of the ball.

Shahadat was subsequently withdrawn from the rest of the match and it was reported that he faced a one-year ban. Alongside his five-year ban, he has been fined 300,000 Taka for his level four offence. He can appeal against the decision by November 26. 

Speaking to AFP, Shahadat said: “I only pushed him, I did not hurt him. But I agree it’s a mistake. As a Test player I should not have done this. I will appeal.”

“A five-year ban is too harsh for me. I would have accepted a six-month ban or some fine.”

“My mother is a cancer patient. She stopped eating after the news. If I am banned for five years it will take away my livelihood.”

The 33-year-old, who has played 38 Tests, 51 ODIs and and six T20Is for Bangladesh, was previously suspended by the BCB in 2015 after a case was filed against him and his wife on the charges of assaulting their domestic servant. He and his wife were later arrested and granted bail before both were acquitted in November 2016.

His last international appearance came in May 2015 in a Test match against Pakistan.