Uncertainty over Shakib’s Inclusion for the Pakistan Test!

Shakib Al Hasan, the player with the most prominent contribution to Bangladesh Cricket on the international platform, is again under discussion, not for his arrogance or any controversial misdeeds but for the sudden political turmoil in the country.  When an away series awaits Bangladesh against Pakistan, the selectors are still uncertain whether to include him in this occasion!

Shakib is probably passing the most challenging time in his career, especially with the bat. Yet, his inclusion in the team for an important series could never be doubted because of his outstanding contribution. His place in the team was never thought to be under threat until the 5th of August, when the revolution built by the students and citizens of the country brought former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party, Awami League, out of the throne! After this, Shakib’s participation, who was a Member of the Parliament, in the coming Bangladesh vs. Pakistan series starting from 21^st August has been seriously confused.

How Does AL’s Political Regime Relate To Shakib Al Hasan?

Awami League, the former ruling party of Bangladesh, had been in power for almost fifteen years. No movement against this party was successful, not because they were popular but instead for their oppressive style of ruling, which has ultimately defined them as a “Fascist Government.”

Previously, Mashrafe Mortaza, the former captain of the Bangladesh Cricket Team, joined the party and was elected as a Member of Parliament in a very controversial election that many cricket fans couldn’t accept. This time, Shakib Al Hasan asked for nomination from the Awami League and got elected as a member of parliament. As a person with a very obstinate nature, he acted as if he didn’t care about the criticisms, but it was getting severe.

In the meantime, the “Quota Reform Movement” among Bangladeshi students was getting severe due to a series of tragic deaths caused by the government’s failure to tackle the situation. As a result, an unbelievable revolution against the government was made when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and escaped to India without formally informing the nation.

When an interim government formation was underway, the former government leaders were in deep trouble and fled from their places; some moved to other countries, and some were caught at the airport. Shakib Al Hasan is currently playing in the Global T20 League then, but as a Member of Parliament of this failed government, it will now be difficult for him to safely reach the country and join the team to fly to Pakistan.

Besides, numerous accusations have been brought against him regarding his business and others, for which he might face a judicial trial by the newly formed interim government. Thus, his appearance as a national team player in Pakistan is now seriously doubtful.

Reasons For Exclusion Other Than Political Connection

Besides the sudden adversity, Shakib, the former captain of the Bangladesh Test Team, has other issues, such as concerns about his inclusion. Firstly, he has been suffering from fitness issues for a long.

His eye problem and head position have not been okay for the last few series, which must be solved before he can bat for a long time. Currently, he is in Canada to play in the Global T20 League, where he is performing quite convincingly. Yet, this is a shorter version of cricket, which doesn’t indicate his fitness for the more extended version. 

As per the sources, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formed an eighteen-man squad for the series, including Shakib as a potential player. Since it will be narrowed down to fifteen very soon, including Shakib is a great dilemma for them. In such a situation, the selectors have decided to sit with Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto to decide on his inclusion.

The Test Career of Shakib Al Hasan

It is mentionable that Shakib’s Test Career is not ignorable since he has already played 67 test matches and scored 4505 runs with a 38.84 average. He has five centuries and one double hundred in this format! His performance as a bowler is even better.

In 67 test matches, he has taken 237 wickets with an economy of only 2.94. In 19 cases, he has achieved a five-wicket haul and two times got the ten-wicket haul—this career is better than many players of Bangladesh and probably the best as an Allrounder for Bangladesh. A player with such a prosperous career cannot be excluded so easily.

Other Issues in Place!

When reformation is in demand from every sector of the country, the Cricket Board is not out of it either. The cricket fans of Bangladesh are severely criticizing the officials, selectors, and others for stepping down immediately because they failed to perform their jobs professionally. They are also accusing these officials of their appointment in this regime.

Under such a scenario, the board officials, including Nazmul Hasan Papon, have been President of BCB since 2012 and are also members of Parliament of the farewelled government. At this moment, the selectors couldn’t even conduct a thorough meeting, so they contacted Shakib to discuss the issue. Though they have been informed to sit with Shanto, the new captain, a fruitful outcome is uncertain.

Final Thoughts

Cricket is the only sport in Bangladesh with such firm international representation. So, no matter what happens in the country, people are always concerned about how their team is performing. Bangladesh’s first international appearance this year will be after the T20 World Cup 2024; therefore, the people of Bangladesh are waiting to see how their team performs there.

The matches are scheduled to start on 21^st August and 30^th August. The country’s people will sit in front of the TV set and cheer for their team while expecting a thorough reformation of the Cricket Board by the new Interim Government.