Bangladesh kept all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the team for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan this month, even though he is facing criticism after the country’s leader was removed. Shakib, 37, is no longer a lawmaker because the parliament was dissolved after the sudden removal of the long-time leader, Sheikh Hasina, following many weeks of dangerous large protests. “We focused on choosing our best players,” said chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain in a statement.
Shakib, who became a lawmaker from Hasina’s Awami League in a disputed general election on January 7, is now in Canada playing in a Twenty20 competition.
Since Hasina left for India on August 5, her party offices have been robbed and set on fire, and many members of her Awami League have hidden themselves, afraid of being harmed.
Shakib is set to join the Bangladesh team in Pakistan, where they will compete in two Test matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21 to September 3.
Mushfiqur Rahim, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has rejoined the team after sitting out the previous Test series against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh in March and April.
The selectors also added fast bowler Taskin Ahmed to the squad.
“This team is well balanced,” Hossain stated.
“Players like Mushfiqur, Mominul (Haque), and Shakib have a total of 216 matches among them, and there’s no replacement for that level of experience.”
Hossain mentioned that Taskin will only be considered for the second Test since he hasn’t played in a Test match since June of the previous year.
“Pakistan is a strong team, especially when they play in their own country, so this trip will be difficult for us,” Hossain said.
The team will depart from Dhaka on Monday for the series, which is also part of the ICC World Test Championship.
Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Capt), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed
