Courtesy: X
Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh all-rounder, who had announced his retirement from international cricket last month with an expectation of playing the final Test series at home, is doubtful to make his return to the country due to a “security issue.” After the 37-year-old spoke about the matter himself, he is expected to miss out on the retirement series against South Africa at home later this month despite being named in the Bangladesh Test squad.
Notably, Shakib Al Hasan is the former member of the Bangladesh Parliament, becoming the MP of the then-ruling Awami League party this January, but just seven months later, the leader of the party and the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amidst student protests. It led to the Bangladesh all-rounder getting named in a murder investigation among hundreds of the Awami League party members due to the then-ruling government allowing the police to do a deadly crackdown on the protestors.
This decision was made to ensure the safety of players and to protect the country's image: Bangladesh Sports Minister
Following that, Shakib Al Hasan has been told to not return to Bangladesh amidst the public anger towards him and the rest of the Awami League party members. Asif Mahmud, the Bangladesh Sports Minister, advised the 37-year-old to not come back home despite being named in the national squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, starting on October 21, and mentioned in his statement, “This decision was made to ensure the safety of players and to protect the country's image.”
“I was to return home... but now I don't think I can. It is over a security issue, a matter of my own security,” remarked Shakib Al Hasan to broadcaster bdnews24.com. Earlier this month, he had also made a post on Facebook, to apologise to the Bangladesh public for staying silent during the students protests in the country.
As per the reports in the Bangladesh media, Shakib Al Hasan is in the UAE, and he is expected to go to the United States of America for the time being.
