Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan wants to play his final Test at home against South Africa scheduled to be held next month. However, it is very difficult for him to return to the country as he is accused of a murder case. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain also commented on the matter.
The sports adviser told the media on Sunday, “Shakib Al Hasan will be given proper security as a player. However, it is absurd to ask for security assurance against the anger created in the public mind against the member of parliament Shakib Al Hasan of the fascist government.”
The Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5, Shakib was subsequently one among 147 persons named in a murder case related to the protests, and he has not been in Bangladesh since then. Victim Rubel’s father Rafiqul Islam filed the case following his son’s death.
In a press conference on September 26 before the Bangladesh-India second Test in Kanpur, Shakib himself said that the situation in the country has changed. However, under pressure, the all-rounder has kept all his attention on the field for so long.
‘They agreed with me, that they are trying to organise everything if possible, so that I can go back to Bangladesh, play those two Test matches in Mirpur and finish my Test career there.’
But BCB president Faruque Ahmed said that they cannot assure Shakib of the security.
‘It’s not in BCB’s hands. The security clearance must come from the government,’ Faruque told reporters after a board meeting in Mirpur on Thursday.
‘If he plays the last Test, that will be very nice. But it’s up to him now. We don’t have the ability to give a particular person security.
Faruque said he did not to try to change Shakib’s mind about quitting Test cricket. “Of course there’s going to be nothing like it, [if he plays] his last Test at home. Shakib is going through a difficult phase of his life. I didn’t try to [talk him out of the retirement]. He thought that this was the right time for him to retire. I respect his decision.”
Previously, Bangladesh’s law adviser (the equivalent of a law minister) Asif Nazrul said that he hoped that Shakib will not be arrested in connection with the case, should he return to the country to play. The BCB’s cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees then said, two days ago, that comments from government high-ups like the law adviser gave the BCB confidence that Shakib will not be “harassed” on return.
Shakib said during the press conference in Kanpur on Thursday, ahead of the second against India – which will in turn be Shakib’s last if he does not get to play at home – that he is concerned about his security. “I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn’t have any problem going back to Bangladesh,” he said. “My concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it.”
The South Africa tour due to start on October 21 is still under a cloud, with the Proteas assessing whether Bangladesh is safe enough after last month’s revolution.
