The first Test of the Bangladesh-South Africa series is set to begin in Mirpur in just two days.
Shakib Al Hasan was Initially included in the Bangladesh squad for the match.
However, due to security concerns, he was unable to return to the country, casting doubt on his participation.
Today, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially announced Shakib`s exclusion from the Mirpur Test, replacing him with left-arm spinner Hasan Murad.
There had been uncertainty surrounding Shakib`s situation, which even affected the South African team.
Since arriving in Dhaka, the Proteas have been following updates about Shakib`s status through social media and local and international news outlets.
South African officials accompanying the team have faced numerous inquiries regarding Shakib, including questions like, "What’s the update on Shakib?" and "Will he be coming back to the country?"
With the BCB`s new announcement regarding the Mirpur Test squad, the cloud of uncertainty surrounding Shakib is expected to lift, providing the South Africans with the answers they have been seeking.
Shakib Al Hasan was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka for the Mirpur Test starting October 21, traveling from the United States via Dubai.
His flight from Dubai was set for yesterday afternoon, with an expected arrival in Dhaka later that evening.
However, due to security concerns, he was advised not to come back to the country from Dhaka.
Despite receiving the green light from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the selectors initially including him in the Mirpur Test squad, the situation changed dramatically yesterday.
A group under the banner of “Mirpur`s Student Movement” staged a protest outside the Mirpur Stadium.
A five-member delegation from the group submitted a memorandum to Major (Retd.) Hasibuzzaman, who is responsible for BCB`s administration and security.
In the memorandum addressed to BCB President Faruk Ahmed, they stated that if Shakib were not excluded from the team, they would launch a rigorous protest on match day.
The memorandum warned that any negative impact on Bangladesh cricket would be the responsibility of the BCB president.
Ultimately, Bangladesh team will have to proceed with the Mirpur Test without Shakib, following the decision made in light of the security concerns.
Before the Kanpur Test during the India tour, Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from T20 and Test cricket.
In that announcement, he stated that the last match he played in the T20 World Cup would be his final appearance in that format.
He also expressed his desire to end his Test career with the match against South Africa in Mirpur.
However, with his absence from the Mirpur Test, it remains uncertain whether the match against India in Kanpur will be his final outing in long-format cricket.
The Bangladesh squad for the upcoming Mirpur Test includes:
Nazmul Hossain (Captain), Saadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan, Zakir Hasas, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (Wicket-keeper), Zakir Ali, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad
