The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on August 27 confirmed Shakib Al Hasan's participation in the second Test against Pakistan. Despite being named among 156 suspects in an FIR for the murder of Rubel Islam, Shakib will continue playing cricket for Bangladesh until proven guilty.
BCB received a legal notice from Shajib Mahmood Alam, a lawyer of the Supreme Court via an email. As per the notice, Advocate Md Rafinur Rahman has asked for the 37-year-old's removal from all forms of cricket with immediate cricket. In addition, it has asked for Shakib to return to Bangladesh.
However, newly appointed BCB President Faruque Ahmed has said that he will continue to play not just in the ongoing series but the one in India starting September 19.
"He [Shakib] will continue playing. We received a legal notice regarding bringing him back and we replied them saying this [that he will continue to play]," Faruque was quoted as saying by Daily Prothom Alo on August 27.
"Right now the FIR is filed and it is in the initial stage and there are lot of steps after this and until he is proven guilty we will make him play. 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 give him legal assistance," he added.
Shakib will not return to Bangladesh
During the break between Pakistan and India Test series, Shakib will not fly back home. The all-rounder will head to England to play a four-day match for County side Surrey. He has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by BCB has well. He will be available for Surrey from September 5 to 14. He will make an appearance against Somerset in the game starting September 9.
Shakib delivers with the ball
Earlier, Shakib played a major role in Bangladesh’s historic maiden win over Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. On a dramatic Day 5 of the Test, he bagged three crucial wickets including opener Abdullah Shafique and vice-captain Saud Shakeel to help Bangladesh bowl out Pakistan for 146 and win the match by 10 wickets.
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