At the end of the second Test in Kanpur, prominent Indian cricketer Virat Kohli gifted his cricket bat to Shakib Al Hasan, the former skipper of Bangladesh, who was the commemoration for many decades of such persistent test career.
Shakib has announced in unequivocal terms that the next series with South Africa will be his last on the home grounds if he gets the opportunity. If he is not included, this will mark the end of all his international series against India for him.
“I can play in the South Africa series but it’s obvious that every situation is not under my control because there are so many things happening in the house. I was in the BCB and I had a conversation on what my plans were for Test cricket. Especially this series and the home series. I was thinking that it should be the ending cricket for all my international Test careers,” said Shakib at the pre-match press conference before the second Test against India in Kanpur.
“I have conveyed this to [BCB president] Faruque bhai and the selectors. If there is hope, and I am fit for the challenge, Mirpur will be my last arena for a Test. The board is trying to make sure that I can carry out the sporting activity and remain safe and also that I can exit the country without any problem. I am a Bangladeshi so there is no excuse or any problem about going home. Rather I am concerned about my self and security in Bangladesh. Even my close friends and family members are worried. I expect things are becoming alright. Why can’t there be a resolution to it,” he said.
The Proteas series for October looks bleak for now given that Cricket South Africa is waiting for a security clearance after the venue was inspected earlier this week as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
This uncertainty follows the resignation by Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister of Bangladesh on 5th August after she ran out of the country during violent protests by students.
At this point, Shakib Al Hasan was now on Global T20 League in Canada. After this tournament, he went to Pakistan to take part in a two-match test series, which Bangladesh won, their maiden victory on Pakistani soil. Shakib then proceeded to India for their tour which is currently ongoing.
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a stunning half-century in the second innings and led India to a comprehensive seven wickets win over Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium on Tuesday.
