Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan announced on Thursday, October 17, that he will not be travelling to Dhaka, raising doubts about his ability to play in his final Test match against South Africa, which is scheduled to begin on November 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The 37-year-old was scheduled to join the Dubai-to-New York trip, but he has been requested not to.
There are questions regarding Shakib's plans to travel home since the Test match is less than four days away from starting. Shakib, who was born in Magura, was included in Bangladesh's side for the first Test match against the Proteas on Wednesday.
It has been discovered that Shakib's final Test match at home could spark protests. Shakib had previously voiced his reservations about going back to Bangladesh in the midst of the student uprising against the Awami League administration. There is currently no guarantee that he will return to Bangladesh.
"I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home,” Shakib told ESPNcricinfo through Whatsapp.
During the protests, Shakib was also charged for his involvement in a murder case. He was promised a secure route back to Bangladesh, but rumours have it that protests have flared up again. An outfit called "Mirpur Chhatro Janata" notified the BCB that if Shakib performed in Mirpur, there would be demonstrations. Following the India Test in Chennai, Shakib expressed his wish to play his final Test at home. He added that his final Tw20 International match was in the West Indies and United Arab Emirates.
Bangladesh squad for 1st Test against South Africa
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
