Shakib Al Hasan hinted at ending his Test and T20 career during the series in India. The country's biggest cricket star has expressed interest in bidding farewell to red ball cricket by playing the upcoming Test series against South Africa at home. However, there is uncertainty about his return to the country due to security issues.
Shakib's
Shakib sought security to return home and leave the country again. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has pushed the ball in the government's court on the issue of safety of this Tiger all-rounder. Recently, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, the youth and sports adviser of the interim government, said that he personally wants a cricketer like Shakib Al Hasan to bid farewell to Test cricket by playing on the country's soil. He also assured to provide full security to Shakib when he comes to play in the country.
BCB president Farooq Ahmed also made a positive comment after the sports advisor's assurance. After the board meeting in Mirpur yesterday (Monday), the BCB president told reporters, 'I have been contacted by Shakib. As he wants to retire from Test cricket by playing at home, I think he has a good chance in that regard.'
Shakib is currently in the US playing in the US National T10 League. After the Test series against India, he went straight to the United States. On the question of Shakib's security, Farooq Ahmed said, 'The responsibility lies with the government, I am a small person, the board president. I have very little power. Shakib's matter must come entirely from the government level. There are law and order forces, advisers, chief advisers. They will decide.'
However, the BCB president has assured that they will see to Shakib's safety in Mirpur, 'as much as we can will go indoors, play in the field, practice in the field. It is very easy for us to take the security responsibility of the stadium. We can take it.'
After the political change in the country, Shakib has some 'problems' about returning to the country. He is accused in a case of murder in the anti-discrimination movement. There is a fear of arrest or other harassment upon return. Because of this, Shakib was saying while announcing his retirement, 'I want to go and play and feel safe. When it is necessary to come out of the country, I should not have any problem to come out of the country. The board is taking care, those involved in the issues are watching. They might give me a decision, based on which I can go to the country and play very well and at least leave the Test format.
Regarding bidding farewell to Test cricket on home soil, Shakib said, 'I think it would be appropriate to end my Test career in front of the fans of the country. Bangladesh cricket has given me a lot and I want to end this format at home. I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur to BCB. If not, the match against India in Kanpur will be my last Test.'
Is Suhana's phone number really viral Ananya?
South Africa will come to Bangladesh to play a two-match Test series on October 16. The first Test will start from October 21 at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and the second and final Test will start from October 29 in Chittagong.