Under current circumstances of political turmoil and related uncertainty back home, Shakib Al Hasan playing the second Test against India could very well turn out to be the last game of his red-ball career. Now after a four-hour-long meeting and a press conference by the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) President Faruque Ahmed, on Thursday, September 26, has seemingly dented the desire of the star cricketer to end the Test career at home.
Notably, Bangladesh are scheduled to play a Test series against South Africa in their backyard but after meeting the board of directors, Ahmed said that he cannot guarantee that Shakib Al Hasan will get to bow out as per his wishes. the BCB president cited the reason for things not being under their control and it will government’s decision to decide his fate in terms of security concerns. Hence the BCB would be unable to provide security to the star all rounder once he flies back home.
“We don’t have it (Shakib’s security) in our hands. The security needs to come from the government and he will have to take his own decision. We cannot say anything about his security. We don’t have the ability to provide security to any individual,” Faruque stated while speaking with reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
“I am neither an agency nor police or the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The security issue needs to be cleared by the government because from the board we cannot say anything,” he added.
“Shakib is going through a tough time personally so we cannot say much from our side. Like him even I think if he can play his last Test from here, there cannot be anything better than that but his security issues need to be assured by the higher authorities. He is going through a tough time. He felt this is the right time for him to play his last Test and we have shown respect to his decision,” Ahmed concluded.
Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan announces retirement from Tests, Mirpur game against South Africa to be last
Shakib named accused in a murder case back home
For the unversed, Shakib Al Hasan was deemed an accused in a murder case by Bangladesh‘s security authorities of the Adabor police station amid political unrest in the country. Notably, Shakib was involved in the previous government before it was overthrown. In the wake of the events that transpired back then, the BCB had assured Shakib would not face any trouble if he came back to Bangladesh.
Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan to continue playing for Bangladesh until proven guilty in ongoing murder case
But now his playing in the South Africa series has been subjected to security clearance by the current government and law enforcement agencies. Besides, BCB had also iterated that Shakib would continue to represent the national side until he was proven guilty in the murder case.