Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary all-rounder from Bangladesh and former national captain who recently announced his intentions to retire from the Test cricket format, is understood in some quarters to be included in the squad for the South Africa March 2023 tour for his tournament’s curtain raiser. As per Cricbuzz published on Monday, it seems Shakib’s desire to play his last match in front of the Bangladesh spectators has a good chance of coming true after he has been backed up by the Bangladesh Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.
Bhuyain wants Shakib to retire in front of his country’s fans and is ready to make that happen.
“Obviously he has been a great player and done a lot for the nation. As he wants to play his last test match in Bangladesh, I also wish he gets that chance,” Bhuiyan said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“We will definitely give the best security details to our players. If there are reservations about anyone, that is another story, and I do not deal with that because it goes to the Law Ministry. But, we have already promised that we will provide the security to Shakib Al Hasan and we will do so,” he added.
Shakib, also a political figure, has been linked to a homicide case. Before the second Test against India in Kanpur last month, he raised issues over his safety back in Bangladesh.
As reported, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is making every possible effort to persuade recognizable figures such as Shakib, for them to return in the two-match Test series against South Africa.
“He (Shakib) is likely to inform us of his decision within two to three days if he will be available to play in the two-match Test series,” a Bangladesh Cricket Board official quoted to Cricbuzz.
Faruque Ahmed, the president of BCB, who last month stated that there is no way the board will offer any support to Shakib has now withstood that and said they are willing to provide security for Shakib and in the vicinity of the stadium.
“I have had communication with Shakib, and he has a good chance to retire at home,” Faruque told reporters after completing a board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.
“Legal thing I cannot say, on that matter I am discussing with the highest authority. I am a small person and the concerned Shakib has to be dealt with by the government. There are security agencies, there is a government and there are advisors who will make a decision on that and assume full responsibility for Shakib.”
“This is our responsibility to take the player to the hotel, and within the stadium if he is playing or training, and I think we can assume that responsibility,” he said.
