Shakib Al Hasan’s security not in our hands: Bangladesh cricket board president

Bangladesh cricket board Faruque Ahmed has claimed that they cannot guarantee Shakib Al Hasan’s security as the all-rounder hopes to play his final Test in Mirpur.

Shakib had announced his intention to retire from Tests and play his final game in front of his home crowd. However, the all-rounder wanted security to be guaranteed.

Faruque and the other board directors were aware of Shakib’s intention to retire from Test cricket following the home series against South Africa, with the goal of creating opportunities for younger players in the shorter formats. However, Faruque told to the reporters that he could not promise Shakib the farewell he desired, which was to play his final Test at his home ground in Mirpur.

“We don’t have it (Shakib’s security) in our hand. The security needs to come from the government and he will have to take his own decision. We cannot say anything about his security. We don’t have the ability to provide security to any individual,” Faruque told reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

“I am neither an agency nor police or the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The security issue needs to be cleared by the government because from the board we cannot say anything,” said Faruque.

Security needs to be assured by higher authorities
Faruque admitted that Shakib is going through a rough time personally and they want him to play his last Test on home soil. The BCB president said that the security of the star is in the hands of the higher authorities.

“Shakib is going through a tough time personally so we cannot say much from our side. Like him, even I think if he can play his last Test from here, there cannot be anything better than that but his security issues need to be assured by the higher authorities.”

“He is going through a tough time. He felt this is the right time for him to play his last Test, and we have showed respect to his decision.”

The statement from Faruque comes despite earlier assurances from BCB officials that the star all-rounder would face no issues returning to Bangladesh to participate in the two-match Test series against South Africa.

Shakib was implicated in a murder case filed by the Adabor police station during the political unrest that contributed to the government’s downfall. Despite this, the BCB permitted him to continue representing the national team until proven guilty. The board had also guaranteed that Shakib would not face any obstacles if he chose to return to Bangladesh to play.

If Shakib doesn’t get the security, then the Kanpur Test against India could turn out to be his final one.