Murad named Shakib’s replacement after Bangladesh great denied Test farewell

In sports, more than anything else, great Indian poet Nida Fazli’s couplet more often than not comes true. He once wrote in Urdu, “Kabhi kisi ko Muqammal Jahan nahi Milta, Kisi ko Zameen to Kisi ko aasman nhi milta.” It loosely translates to, not everybody gets their desired and deserved farewell in this world.

This sits true to Bangladesh legend Shakib Al Hasan, who wanted to bid adieu to his Test career at his home ground of the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. He was named in the squad for the first Test against South Africa, which was scheduled to begin on October 21 in Dhaka, but students protested against the all-rounder, who was part of the now-dethroned Awami League regime. 

Ever since the T20 World Cup 2024, Shakib has not returned to Bangladesh and is living with his family in the USA. After the end of the second Test in Kanpur during the two-match Test series against India, Shakib has expressed his desire to play his final Test in Dhaka. 

After his favourable comments on the Student Protests that changed the regime in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) provided assurance of his safety if travelled to the country for his farewell Test. 

Shakib was en route to Dhaka when fresh protests erupted against him playing in the country, where he was named in a murder case along with 147 others. 

"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," BCB's national selection panel chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain was quoted saying by Cricbuzz. 

"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," he added while naming Murad as Shakib’s replacement. 

Bangladesh updated squad for first Test

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad

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