For the first time since the collapse of the Awami League government, of which he was a member, the BCB is optimistic that Shakib Al Hasan will have no trouble returning to Bangladesh for the Test series against South Africa that begins next month.
The most well-known cricket player in Bangladesh, Shakib, was one of 147 individuals named in a Dhaka murder case last month. He was elected to the legislature in January of this year. Shakib was playing in the Global T20 League in Canada on August 5, the day Sheikh Hasina abruptly resigned as prime minister and left Bangladesh amid widespread anti-government rallies.
He then went to Pakistan for a Test series, returned to Surrey to play a county match, and is currently in India for another Test series. He never was in Bangladesh during or after the protests. The issue in question concerns the death of Mohammed Rubel, who passed away two days after being injured by gunfire during the protests on August 5.
The BCB’s cricket operations chief, Shahriar Nafees, stated on Monday that Shakib will not be “harassed” after the country’s caretaker administration made it clear.
“I think the honourable chief adviser, law adviser and sports adviser have spoken very clearly regarding Shakib Al Hasan,” added Nafees.
“The government of Bangladesh has made it very clear that no one would face unjust harassment as a result of the lawsuits that have been brought. We think the temporary administration’s stance on Shakib is crystal clear.
I don’t currently see any reason why Shakib Al Hasan shouldn’t play in the home series in Bangladesh, barring an injury or a selection-related issue.”
Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh’s legal advisor, expressed his expectation last month that Shakib wouldn’t be detained in relation to the issue. “Just one case has been brought against Shakib. I’m hoping he stays out of jail. It has come to my attention that the police have been urged to exercise the greatest amount of restraint in the event that something extraordinary occurs.”
Shakib’s Bangladeshi teammates showed their support for him shortly after hearing that he was named in the case; they sent messages on their own social media pages. But criticism has also been levelled at him for remaining silent during the student-led huge rallies in July and August. While many of his fellow countrymen have discussed the protests and the deaths of people, particularly students, Shakib has not.
In October, Bangladesh, who are presently in India for T20Is and Tests, will host two home Test matches against South Africa.
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The CSA security team concluded its assessment of Chattogram and Dhaka, the locations of the Tests, on Monday, and is anticipated to provide the BCB with its decision later this week.
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