"Not sure where I am going next" - Shakib Al Hasan unlikely to feature in 1st BAN vs SA 2024 Test amid security concerns
Seasoned Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is unlikely to feature in the first Test against South Africa at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, which gets underway on Monday, October 21. As per reports, the cricketer has been advised not to travel to Dhaka amid security concerns.
The 37-year-old was named in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against the Proteas. He had earlier expressed his wish to play his last Test at home. When he was named in the Bangladesh team for the Dhaka Test, it seemed like his wish was about to come true. However, there is a new twist in the tale.
In a WhatsApp message, Shakib told ESPNcricinfo that he is not going back to Bangladesh. He was quoted as saying by the website:
"I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home."
The report further quoted Youth and Sports adviser Asif Mahmud as telling AFP that the all-rounder has been advised not to return home to 'avoid untoward situations'. Mahmud stated:
"I have advised Shakib not to come [to Bangladesh] to avoid any untoward circumstances. This decision was made to ensure the safety of players and to protect the country's image."
The former Bangladesh captain was among the 147 people named in an FIR in an alleged murder case that took place during the civil unrest in the Asian country. The cricketer was a Member of Parliament from Magura and represents the Awami League, whose government was overthrown in August, leading to pandemonium in the country.
Incidentally, while announcing the team for the first Test against South Africa, Bangladesh selector Hannan Sarkar had asserted that they picked Shakib in the team after getting a 'green signal' from the authorities.
Shakib Al Hasan announced retirement from T20Is during India tour
During Bangladesh's tour of India, Shakib announced his retirement from T20Is. Speaking ahead of the second Test at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, he also expressed his desire to play his last Test in Mirpur.
“This is the right time to bring in new players. It's the same vision for T20Is as well. I have spoken to the chief selector and the BCB president and we all felt that this was the right time to move on and allow new players to come up the ranks,” news agency PTI quoted the cricketer as telling reporters.
The 37-year-old has represented Bangladesh in 447 matches across the three formats of the game and has amassed 14,730, with 14 hundreds and 100 fifties. With his left-arm spin, he has picked up 712 wickets at an average of 28.48, with 25 five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls.