Bangladesh chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said on Monday that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is available for all the Test matches in 2024. Bangladesh are scheduled to play eight Test matches in the remainder of the year that starts with the two-match Test series against Pakistan. Following the Pakistan series, Bangladesh are scheduled to two-match Test series against India, South Africa and West Indies respectively.
Shakib Al Hasan had earlier hinted that he is yet to decide whether he’d play against India as he was only planning till the two-match Test series against Pakistan. Ashraf though, begs to differ.
Shakib Al Hasan to be part of Bangladesh test squad in Pakistan and WTC
Bangladesh retained all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Sunday in the squad for this month’s Test series against Pakistan, despite the former ruling party lawmaker facing backlash after the country’s premier was toppled. Shakib Al Hasan, 37, lost his status as a lawmaker after parliament was dissolved following the dramatic ouster of long-time ruler Sheikh Hasina after weeks of deadly mass protests.
The all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who was elected as a lawmaker from Hasina’s Awami League in a controversial general election on January 7, is currently in Canada to play in a Twenty20 competition. Since Hasina fled to India on August 5, her party offices have been looted and torched, and many members of her Awami League have gone into hiding fearing violence.
Shakib Al Hasan is expected to join the Bangladesh squad in Pakistan, where they will play two Test matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi between August 21 and September 3. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim returned to the squad, after missing Bangladesh’s previous Test series against Sri Lanka at home in March and April. Selectors also included pacer Taskin Ahmed.
Shakib Al Hasan’s selection was a matter of discussion considering he played only four of the eight Tests Bangladesh played in the last two years. Furthermore, while his teammates have had red-ball practice at home, the ace all-rounder will join the squad from Canada after playing in the Global T20 League. He has also had an issue with his eye conditions, which prompted doubts whether he was being picked as an all-rounder or just a bowler.
Bangladesh chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said on Monday that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is available for all the Test matches in 2024.
Shakib Al Hasan is our top player and players expect robust security measures during their 2 match test tour to Pakistan
Bangladesh men’s team’s chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain has cited the need for robust security measures ahead of the Pakistan tour, considering the presence of top players like Shakib Al Hasan and the situation in their own country. Hossain admitted that the 37-year-old is now also a political figure, but asserted that the selection has been done on merit.
The last few weeks have seen widespread chaos in Bangladesh as student protests gave rise to arson, violence and destruction. The protests have caused the fall of the government, prompting Sheikh Hasina to flee from Bangladesh. The whereabouts of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon remain unknown too.
Speaking to reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Monday (August 12), the 63-year-old Hossain said that Shakib deserves to be in the Test squad to face Pakistan due to his talent and that he will be considered as long as he plays. As quoted by Cricbuzz, Hossain remarked:
“In practice sessions, there are security issues regarding every player or official. That definitely has to be ensured in light of current circumstances because Shakib is a top player in Bangladesh. In terms of selection, we had to think of many things because he is a political person. But his selection was done because of his talent.
“We have been open regarding his talent and we do that for every player and we will do that in the future if we remain in the selection panel.”
The left-arm spinner copped boos during the recent Global T20 in Canada for keeping mum on the protests in Bangladesh.
Gazi Ashraf Hossain on Shakib Al Hasan as an all rounder
The former Bangladesh cricketer suggested that the veteran seems to have recovered from his eye injury and that his adaptability makes him stand out as a cricketer. On this, he added:
“I haven’t received any updates from our medical team regarding his eyes. Globally, Shakib is one of the best all-rounders for the past 25 (15) years and I maintain that opinion. I cannot dare to consider him only as a bowler. The way he has been able to take himself to new heights and his adjustability to different formats and his record against Pakistan are all considered for his inclusion.”
The Test series against Pakistan begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi.