Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan took a U-turn on his decision to return home.
The star batsman has decided not to go to Bangladesh citing security concerns, as there was a protest against him outside the Sher Bangla Stadium in Dhaka yesterday while South African and Bangladeshi cricket teams were practising inside.
Shakib said, “I was supposed to go back to Bangladesh, but now it seems that I will not be able to go. I made this decision for security reasons, and this is my personal security issue.”
He had to participate in the Test series against South Africa; his name was also included in the squad for the first Test against South Africa.
He had expressed his desire to play the last test match of his career at his home ground.
The first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh will start on October 21 in Mirpur.
Why are people protesting against him?
A murder case was filed against Bangladesh’s star cricket all-rounder and former Awami League Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan in Dhaka.
Bangladeshi media reports that authorities have charged him along with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the murder of an employee of a garment factory in Dhaka.
He also apologised to the people of Bangladesh for his silence during the protest against Hasian Wazid.
He wrote, “Assalamu Alaikum, respect to the love of every people in my country. Your prayers and love towards me have felicitated me today as this Shakib Al Hasan in the world court. In the beginning, I remember with respect for all the sacrificial students who were martyred and wounded in the student crowd led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Respect and condolences from the bottom of my heart to them and their families. Although nothing can be fulfilled, the sacrifice of a family lost loved one. The pain of losing a child or losing a brother is not worthy of anything.”
“My respect and sincere apologies to the place of feelings of you who have been hurt or hurt due to my absence of all presence during this crisis. If I were in your place, I would have been heartfelt like this. I was a Member of Parliament of Magura-1 seat for a very short time. To get involved with my politics was basically my birthplace, i.e. the opportunity for the development of the people of Magura. You know that in the context of Bangladesh, it is a bit difficult to play a direct role in the development of your area without any particular responsibility. And my desire to develop this area makes me interested in becoming a member of parliament,” he stated.
Shakib further wrote, “Anyway, at the end of the day, I am a Bangladesh cricketer. When I was wherever I was, I captured cricket from my heart. You guys have taken the way to earn the honour of the world’s best all-rounder by holding this cricket. Your love and support made me happy today, Shakib Al Hasan. When I bat for the country on the cricket field, you all bat with me. Shout out to the gallery; your support has motivated me to play better. The crowd in front of the tea shop on the day of the cricket match – gave me strength. If I win, you all win. If I lose, you all lost! You know, I’m going to play my last match very soon. From the beginning of my cricket career to becoming Shakib Al Hasan, you have driven this whole journey.”
Requesting his fans to support him on the home ground, he wrote, “You write this whole story of cricket! So, in my last match, in the last chapter of this story, I want you beside me. I want to take you all along and say goodbye. At the goodbyes, I want to put my hands in the hands of those people whose clap made me play well. At the goodbyes, I want to keep my eyes on the eyes of the people in my good game whose eyes are filled with joy. Again, at my bad game, whose eyes are cheating. I hope, not just hope – you all will be with me during this farewell. Everyone will stay together and draw the end of the story, who is the hero of the story – I am not, you.”
Last month, Shakib announced his retirement from Test cricket, but he has expressed his desire to play the last Test against South Africa at his home ground.
