LIFE has come full circle for Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as his dream of playing his final Test at home could become reality.
Shakib received strong support from the Youth and Sports Advisor, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, who has expressed his personal wish was for the premier all-rounder to play his final Test match in Bangladesh.
“He (Shakib) is a player who has contributed a lot to the country. Since he wishes to play his final Test match in Bangladesh, I personally hope he gets that opportunity,” Bhuiyan told reporters while attending the Women’s T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Scotland on October 3.

“We will absolutely provide the highest level of security for our players. If there are any allegations against anyone, that is a different issue. I cannot comment on that, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Law. However, we have already committed to ensuring Shakib Al Hasan’s security, and we will honour that commitment,” he said.

The announcement by Bhuyian came a few days after he had insisted that Shakib needed to clear his political stance to ask for security. The change of mind from top government officials indicates that the possibility of playing his last Test at Mirpur is just not a dream anymore for the poster-boy of Bangladesh cricket, currently paying the price of joining politics.

Ex-lawmaker Shakib, who was accused of being involved in a murder case last month, expressed concerns about his safety during the second Test against India in a press conference in Kanpur.
A top Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official told Cricbuzz that they are trying their level best to bring Shakib back for the two-match Test series against South Africa. He also added that the short duration of his political career came as blessing in disguise for the all-rounder.
“You cannot point fingers at politician Shakib considering he just won the election but it lasted not even for more than six months so, how could he be punished on corruption. It’s true that he is paying the price of joining a certain political party but at the same time you need to understand that he didn’t do much as a politician since winning in the general election.

“He (Shakib) is expected to let us know in a couple of days whether he will play in the two-match Test series or not,” he said.
Another official insisted that the biggest problem for Shakib is how he can leave the country after arriving to play his last Test series. The Test series against South Africa is slated to end on November 2 while Bangladesh are expected to fly out to UAE to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan a day later.
“As Shakib is part of the ODI set-up he can very well be in the team hotel and later leave the country to take part in the ODI series against Afghanistan,” he said.

BCB president Faruque Ahmed who had earlier said that they cannot provide any kind of security has now reversed his stance, insisting that they are ready to give security to Shakib in and around the stadium premises.
“I have had communication with Shakib and he has a good chance to retire at home,” Faruque told reporters after completing a board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

“I cannot say about the legal thing and I am talking with the highest authority. I am a small person and the matter related Shakib need to come from the government. There is security agencies and government along with advisors and they will decide to take full responsibility of Shakib.”

“Our responsibility is to take the player into the hotel and inside the stadium while he is playing or practicing and I think we can take that responsibility,” he added. (Cricbuzz)