Shakib will be available for all of Bangladesh’s Tests this year: Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu

Shakib Al Hasan vs New Zealand in 2017, Wellington. (Photo Source: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh will take on Pakistan and India in their upcoming Test series fixtures. Several reports were doing rounds that former Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan would not be available for the impending tours. As the Bangla Tigers announced their 16-member squad for the two tests against Pakistan, the rumors were put to rest as Shakib’s name was included.

Moreover, Bangladesh will play eight more Tests in the calendar year, and Chief Selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, confirmed that the all-rounder will take part in every Test. Shakib’s selection ahead of Bangladesh’s every red-ball assignment has always been a point of debate. But the ongoing political tensions in the country, where his office was mobbed and burnt, gave another dimension to the speculations.

“We have eight Tests scheduled this year, which will conclude in the West Indies in December. He [Shakib] will be available for all of them. I spoke with Shakib probably at the end of July and there were discussions regarding his fitness. During the Zimbabwe series [in May], we [selectors] wanted to know his short-term plan as we have a lot of Test matches lined up till December, eight in total. He had assured us that he would be available. But in the current scenario, I had to ask him again,” said Lipu as quoted by The Daily Star.

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Outside of sports, Shakib was also a political figure: Lipu

The veteran was a member of the Awami League government, against whom the public carried out an uproar. The repercussions led to the ruling government members fleeing the country including Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. As a result, Shakib’s back to normalcy in terms of cricket was highly doubtful but Lipu asserted that the 37-year-old has a berth in the team based on merit.

“Outside of sports, he was also a political figure. But he was selected because of his merit. We have considered his talent. In the future too, we will continue to value merit,” Lipu added.