The first Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur will not include Shakib Al Hasan. Three days prior to the match on October 21, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that Hasan Murad, a young left-arm spinner, would be the replacement. Shakib skipped his Thursday morning flight from New York to Dhaka via Dubai due to security fears. The advisor for youth and sports, Asif Mahmud, stated that he counselled Shakib against going back to Bangladesh following reports of protests during the Mirpur Test.
"I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home,” Shakib told ESPNcricinfo in a Whatsapp message. Earlier, He had said that he would want the Mirpur Test to be his final red-ball game in International cricket.
BCB names replacement
The chairman of the BCB National Selection Panel, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, acknowledged that Bangladesh lacks a suitable Shakib substitute but also praised Murad for his reliable performance in domestic cricket.
"We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test. He is at the end of his Test career but along with his experience, we still do not have someone of that calibre with both bat and the ball to replace him. However, Hasan Murad has performed consistently in first class cricket and has been in our system. He will lend balance to our bowling, especially in home conditions. We believe he has the potential to deliver at this level," said Ashraf Hossain in a statement.
In 30 first-class matches, Hasan Murad has taken 136 wickets, including 12 five-wicket hauls. The 23-year-old has also represented Bangladesh in two T20 Internationals during the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.
Bangladesh squad for 1st Test against South Africa
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das (WK), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad
