Bangladesh National Cricket Team all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is all set to play the last Test of his career at home. According to reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that BCB is trying its best to bring back the all-rounder for the two-match Test series against South Africa.
Bangladesh Premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from Test cricket during the recently concluded series against India. He mentioned that the Kanpur Test, the last game of the series, will be his last if he is not allowed to play in the Test series against South Africa at home.
Shakib Al Hasan, accused of involvement in a murder case last month, has come under the radar of political tensions in the country. He has recently expressed concerns about his safety and hence his participation in the Test series against South Africa has raised many questions.
Shakib Al Hasan has the full support of Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmood Shojib Bhuyai
But Shakib has the full support of Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmood Shojib Bhuyai. He said he wanted him to play all-round in the game. He also mentioned that he will ensure all the security of the player. He told reporters last week:
“He (Shakib) is a player who has contributed a lot to the country. As he wants to play his last Test match in Bangladesh, I hope he gets that opportunity. We will ensure the highest level of security for our players. If there are any charges against anyone, that is another matter.
“I cannot comment on that as it is a matter for the Ministry of Law. However, we have already made a commitment to ensure the safety of Shakib Al Hasan and we will honor that commitment.”
Shakib Al Hasan will tell BCB soon whether he will play or not
A Bangladesh Cricket Board official said that Shakib is paying the price of joining politics. However, he noted that they will do their best to be able to play in the all-round South African Tests. He noted that the all-rounder will announce his decision in a few days. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he explained:
“You can’t point fingers at politician Shakib because he just won the election, but it didn’t take more than six months, so how can he be punished for corruption? It’s true that he pays the price of joining a political party. But at the same time, you have to understand that , he hasn’t done much as a politician since winning the general election.
“He (Shakib) is expected to tell us in a few days whether he will play in the two-match Test series.”
Also, an official said that Shakib could easily leave the country after the Test series against South Africa as Bangladesh will travel to the UAE for the ODI series against Afghanistan.
“Shakib may very well stay at the team hotel as he is part of the ODI set-up and then leave the country to take part in the ODI series against Afghanistan,” he said.
BCB president Farooq Ahmed says there is a chance for Shakib Al Hasan to retire at home
BCB President Faruque Ahmed, who earlier said that they would not be able to provide any security, has now taken a U-turn and said that they will provide comprehensive security in and around the stadium. He also said, “I have been in touch with Shakib and there is a chance for him to retire at home.”
Shakib is the third highest scorer for his team in Test cricket with 4,609 runs including five centuries and 31 half-centuries. He is also the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh in Test cricket. The left-hander scored 246 wickets and is the only player from his country to cross the 200-wicket mark in Tests.
