Shakib must clarify political stance to get security: Bangladesh sports advisor

Bangladesh’s interim government sports advisor Asif Mahmud clarified on Sunday (September 29) that the men’s senior cricket team’s all-rounder and former captain Shakib Al Hasan will be provided security, but also warned that security won’t be enough to safeguard him if the entire country is against him for his political views. 

To make things in favour of Shakib, who has announced his retirement from Test cricket, potentially after the first Test against South Africa in Dhaka, which could be played in the first week of November, Mahmud advised the cricketer to clarify his political stand. 

"The state is bound to give security to each citizen. In Shakib's case, we have to remember that he has two identities - the cricketer and the politician. He took part in the general elections from Awami League. People have mixed reactions regarding both his identities. Now we will give Shakib, the player, enough security, as much as a sportsperson. This is our responsibility if he comes to the country.” Mahmud was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

Shakib, who was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the now-ousted Awami League government, did not show solidarity with the student protests that engulfed the entire nation for two months and ended with the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina feeling the country and her government toppled. 

"The public could be angry at him for his political identity. If half the country's population is angry at me, then the five or six security persons I have won't be enough to protect me. Shakib can however reduce the public's anger through his own words. I think he has to clarify his political standpoint,” Mahmud said, making his stance very clear as far as Shakib’s security is concerned. 

Shakib has so far not set foot in Bangladesh since departing for the T20 World Cup 2024 in June this year. However, he is willing to end his Test career by playing his 71st Test at his home ground. The 37-year-old is also facing charges of murder after being named in an FIR along with 137 others. However, the fears of his immediate arrest were eliminated by Mahmud. 

"Already the law ministry has said about his case, that a name can be removed if the person is not complicit," Mahmud said.

Shakib would leave for USA to be with his family after the end of the Kanpur Test as he has already retired from T20Is. The T20I-leg of Bangladesh's India tour will begin on October 6.

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