Shakib Al Hasan has said he is not likely to advance to Dhaka, venue of the upcoming first Test against South Africa, due to protests against him in the city. Shakib joined the Bangladesh team for the first Test, which appeared to be his last appearance in the set-up.
“I am not sure where I will go next, but I will almost certainly not return home,” Shakib informed ESPNcricinfo via WhatsApp.
Shakib had earlier expressed concern for his safety if he reached Bangladesh, given the series of Awami League leaders arrested since August 5, when their leader effectively relinquished power for the next 15 years. Shakib was once a member of parliament from his birthplace, Magura. It was one of 147 countries named in an FIR for an alleged murder during the unrest.
Shakib is in the Bangladesh Test team for the upcoming match and the selectors said they have got a “green signal” to pick him. Shakib was reportedly confident of the shield’s passage to Bangladesh, but academics began protesting its upcoming arrival from Wednesday night.
A group identifying itself as “Mirpur Chhatro Janata” informed the BCB that they would protest Shakib’s appearance at the stadium. Late on Wednesday night, it was reported that Shakib was ready to attend Dubai, where he was in transit from Old York.
Although Shakib’s flight will be on Thursday night, he is not likely to return to Dhaka.
