New Delhi: Having willingly asserted his desire to play the final Test of his career at his favourite Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, popularly known as the Mirpur Stadium, Shakib al Hasan will be “unavailable” for the first Test against South Africa. This could make it a possible end of his Test career which currently remains uncertain as it was supposed to be his farewell Test.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has replaced him with uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad who will take part in the two-match series opener from October 21. Shakin had previously expressed uncertainty about returning home because of the ongoing protests against him in Dhaka amid the political unrest in the nation, Despite his apology, there’s a certain set of protestors who is still unhappy with Shakib being mum on the issue – which isn’t the sole reason.
He was travelling from New York to Dhaka and was asked to wait while in transit in Dubai on Wednesday. Initially included in the Test squad, he looked set to play his farewell game after security was approved for him but it turns out, the all-rounder doesn’t want to take any risks. He hasn’t been able to return to his Bangladesh home since the Awami League’s government resigned in early August.
Shakib, an MP with the government, was in Canada playing the Global T20 Canada and flew to Pakistan for the two-Test series which his side won. He further went to the UK to play one first-class game for Surrey in the County Championship before coming to India for the two-Test series. Safety issues barred him from returning home and he has been staying in New York since then. A major reason for protests against him, is him being named among 147 people in an FIR for an alleged murder during the period of unrest.
What did the BCB say?
Gazi Ashraf Hossain, chairman of BCB’s national selection panel, in a press release, said, “We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test. He is at the end of his Test career but along with his experience, we still do not have someone of that calibre with both bat and the ball to replace him.”
“However, Hasan Murad has performed consistently in first-class cricket and has been in our system. He will lend balance to our bowling, especially in home conditions. We believe he has the potential to deliver at this level.”
The replacement – 23-year-old Murad has 136 wickets to his credit in 30 first-class games he has played so far since his debut in 2021. He has already played T20 internationals for Bangladesh in the Asian Games last year. The second and final Test of the series will be played in Chattogram from October 29.
