Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has canceled his plans to return home for what was expected to be his final Test match in Dhaka, citing safety concerns amid ongoing protests.
Shakib was due to arrive in Dhaka from the United States, where his family currently resides, on Thursday night.
However, he opted to withdraw from the trip due to the unrest in Mirpur, the location for the first Test of a two-match series against South Africa, scheduled for October 21.
In a statement to the media, Shakib expressed his worries about security, suggesting that this might unofficially signal the end of his Test career.
Asif Mahmud, the sports adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, disclosed that he had advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to dissuade Shakib from returning due to the risk of public backlash.
Shakib had previously been part of the Awami League-led government, which experienced a major uprising from students and citizens earlier this year.
The protests were violently suppressed, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities, leading many young fans to express their frustration with Shakib`s lack of response during this critical period.
Protester Al Mashnun stated that activists had contacted the BCB, urging them not to permit Shakib to participate in the Dhaka match.
Currently, the BCB has not made any announcements regarding Shakib`s potential involvement with the national team.
Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chief selector for the BCB, mentioned that he has not received official confirmation about Shakib’s decision but believes he remains available for the first Test.
"Nonetheless, there are various factors involved, and I cannot definitively say whether he has opted out of the Dhaka Test," he noted.
