Shakib Al Hasan to Skip Home Test Against South Africa
Author: Vishnu Reddy
Updated At:
Bangladesh legend Shakib Al Hasan is likely to miss the home assignment against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC), starting on October 18. The 37-year-old all-rounder was touted to make his final Test appearance at his home ground in the opening Test. However, reports state that he will not take part in the red-ball series against South Africa due to security reasons.
Cricbuzz confirmed the update via BCB officials that Shakib is not coming to Bangladesh for the Test series. The former Bangladesh skipper was supposed to reach Dhaka tonight to take part in the training camp ahead of the first Test against South Africa.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the Test series, and they included their star player for the first Test. It would have been Shakib Al Hasan's final Test, but the 37-year-old all-rounder is not happy with the security in Bangladesh. The whole drama started after the unrest in the country two months back.
With Shakib Al Hasan likley unavailable to participate in the home test series Bangladesh's chances look slim and the betting odds offered by the top India bookmakers also are in favour of the vistiors South Africa.
Why is Shakib Facing Protests for His Home Return?
Shakib changed his plans to reach Dhaka after knowing that his name had been written in the FIR lodged by the protestors for an alleged murder during the unrest. Awami League government was brought down by the protestors, and the Prime Minister ran away from the country. Shakib represented the same party in parliament. He was elected from his home town Magura in the last general election.
Shakib was included in the squad and got the support from BCB. However, it turned out in a different way as the Bangladeshi legend dropped the idea of playing the Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. After his selection in the home Test, a group of people made a protest in Mirpur.
"I am advised by my close quarter that my security is a concern," Shakib said. The player waited in Dubai after coming from New York on Wednesday evening. He wanted to play the Test match but security is the big reason to avoid flight to Dhaka.
An official gave a statement regarding Shakib’s matter ahead of the opening Test in Dhaka. It reads, "I think if any untoward scene happens during the Test due to Shakib's appearance in that case, that will give a wrong message to the world and that is probably the reason no one can guarantee his security as the whole stadium cannot be kept under watch.”
Will Shakib Retire From Test cricket Without a Farewell Test?
Shakib Al Hasan already announced that he will retire from Tests in the opening Test against South Africa. He recently took part in the T20 World Cup and retired from the format. Shakib was part of Bangladesh’s Test squad in Pakistan and India. It’s expected that he has already played his final Test, which was against India in Kanpur.
Bangladesh will travel to the West Indies for the next Test assignment in November. If everything goes right, Shakib can take part in the series to play his farewell Test outside home. Shakib has represented Bangladesh in 71 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 ODIs.
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