NEWS
Follow UsBangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said it’s “unfortunate” that Shakib Al Hasan can’t play his farewell Test at home but wants his team to focus on winning the first Test against South Africa in Dhaka, starting on October 21 (Monday).
Shakib was earlier named in the squad for the opening Test, 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 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 assured Shakib of his safety if he 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. As a result, left-arm spinner Hasan Murad was added to the squad.
"It is unfortunate. It should have happened. But we can't spend too much time talking about it on the day before the Test match. [Shakib's arrival] is not in our control, so we are not spending too much time thinking about it. We have to focus on the two important Tests, and that's what the players are doing. We had plans to send off one of the world's best players. All of us personally feel that it remains pending,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Shakib as saying.
"Our focus is on winning the Test that starts tomorrow. We would have been happy if it was his farewell Test. We all know why he is unable to come."
Shanto said it would be tough to replace Shakib but feels Mehidy Hasan Miraz will get his game right up there in the next couple of years. “It is hard to match [Shakib], especially for the captain. He would usually allow us to play the extra batter or bowler.
“Now the No. 7 becomes a crucial spot. We don't have anyone exactly like Shakib bhai but Miraz can be a very good option. He is bowling and batting superbly. There are more responsibilities, which Miraz is prepared for. He has improved his batting. He is taking the team to good positions, if you look at the last few Tests. I would hope that Miraz can take that place in the next couple of years."
Talking about uncapped Murad, who has 136 wickets in 30 first-class games at an average of 21.04, Shanto said, “We have four quality spinners in the side. Hasan Murad has an outstanding first-class record. He bowls well in all types of wickets. It is a deserving selection.”
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