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Former Bangladesh skipper and veteran all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan is set to continue playing for the country until proven guilty in the murder allegations. This decision was announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), confirming that the veteran will continue to feature until he is proven guilty despite being named in an FIR.
It is to be noted that Shakib has been named among the 147 people accused of a murder during the violent protest back in Bangladesh. However, the decision from the BCB follows a legal notice demanding his immediate withdrawal from all forms of cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had earlier stated that the decision on Shakib’s participation will be made after the conclusion of the first Test against Pakistan, which saw the visitors register their first-ever Test win against Pakistan.
Rafiqul Islam, a citizen whose son passed during the unrest, filed a FIR that named Hasan among others. However, things escalated when Shajib Mahmood Alam, a lawyer from the Supreme Court, sent a legal notice to BCB on the behalf of Md Rafinur Rahman. The notice demanded the 37-year-old’s removal from the team, citing ICC rules.
As per the ICC rules, a player named in a legal case must not be part of the national team. The notice further demands the former captain’s aid in the investigation after being released from the side. However, BCB President, Faruque Ahmed confirmed the participation of the Magura-born player during an interview with Bengali Daily, Prothom Alo. "He [Shakib] will continue playing. We received a legal notice regarding bringing him back, and we replied to them saying this."
We want Shakib Al Hasan to be part of Bangladesh tour of India: Faruque Ahmed
The BCB President added that Hasan is a contracted player of the Board, and the organization will provide further assistance. "The Bangladesh team will go to India after the Pakistan series, and we want him in that series as well. He is our contracted player, and if necessary, we will provide him with legal assistance," he stated.
Bangladesh is set to lock horns with Pakistan in the second and final Test of the two-match series from August 30 in Rawalpindi. After the conclusion of the Bangladesh tour, the Bangla Tigers will travel to India for two Tests and three T20Is next month.
