Shakib Al Hasan remains doubtful for Pakistan tour amidst political tension

Amidst ongoing political tensions in Bangladesh, the national team will travel to Pakistan for a two-match Test series with the first Test scheduled to commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi. There is doubtfulness over former Bangladesh skipper, Shakib Al Hasan’s presence in the impending Test series. Previously, Shakib had the desire to feature in the Pakistani assignment. 

The all-rounder is currently playing Global T20 Canada and he was also in the United States of America for the Major League Cricket season last month. He was expected to return to Bangladesh to prep up for the impending tour after being granted (No-Objection Certificate) NOC by BCB until August 12. But due to unrest in Bangladesh, his rendezvous seems quashed, and the political party, Awami League government, where Shakib was a lawmaker, fell off after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country. 

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"Before, it was just about whether he [Shakib] could come to Bangladesh and then travel to Pakistan. He's been playing cricket, but in a format where he has to score quickly in short time. And even though he knows how to play longer matches, there's a concern about whether he can handle the physical demands [of Test cricket],” a BCB official said as quoted by The Daily Star.

“He is only a cricketer now. There is a question of whether he is available for the series now, and another being whether he gets picked for the tour. We will run our activity keeping these two factors in mind," said Cricket Operation In-charge Shahriar Nafees.

Shakib’s office destroyed in Bangladesh

Moreover, there is a simmering dislike towards the public figures associated with the government in Bangladesh. Shakib, who was a Member of Parliament, saw his office burnt and destroyed by the protestors. Moreover, former Bangladesh captain, Mashrafe Mortaza’s house was also set on fire by the miscreants.