Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan may get a chance to play his final Test match at home, as strong support from top officials and security assurances seem to have turned this dream into a likely reality.

Government Support for Shakib’s Farewell Match

Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has openly expressed his desire to see Shakib play his last Test match in Bangladesh. Bhuyain emphasized Shakib’s contributions to the country and shared his personal wish that the star all-rounder gets the chance to retire in front of a home crowd. “He is a player who has contributed a lot to the country. Since he wishes to play his final Test match in Bangladesh, I personally hope he gets that opportunity,” Bhuiyan stated during the Women’s T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Scotland on October 3.

Assurance of Security for Shakib

Bhuiyan also assured that Shakib’s safety is a priority, mentioning that they would provide “the highest level of security” for him. Although any legal allegations against Shakib are a matter for the Ministry of Law, Bhuiyan was clear in the government’s commitment to ensuring Shakib’s protection as he prepares for his final Test match.

This assurance marks a shift in the government’s stance, as just a few days earlier, there was insistence that Shakib needed to clarify his political position to receive security support.

Shakib’s Political Background and Current Situation

Shakib, an ex-lawmaker, has faced challenges due to his brief political involvement, which lasted less than six months. Although accused of being involved in a murder case last month, the situation appears to be evolving. A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official mentioned that they are actively working to bring Shakib back for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The official noted that despite his political ties, Shakib’s short political career may have played to his advantage, making it difficult to fault him on grounds of corruption.

Another challenge that remains is coordinating Shakib’s departure for an upcoming series. The Test series against South Africa ends on November 2, while Bangladesh is expected to travel to the UAE for an ODI series against Afghanistan the next day. BCB officials mentioned that since Shakib is part of the ODI setup, arrangements are being made for him to join the team and travel for the series.

BCB’s Assurance and Future Plans

BCB president Faruque Ahmed, who initially said security could not be provided for Shakib, reversed his stance, confirming that the board is ready to secure the player in and around stadium premises during his final Test. “I have had communication with Shakib and he has a good chance to retire at home,” said Ahmed after a BCB meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

While the final legal considerations rest with the government, the BCB is focusing on providing Shakib with a secure environment to ensure a memorable farewell.

Shakib’s potential return to the Test format for his final game at home represents a full-circle moment for one of Bangladesh’s most prominent cricketers, as preparations are underway to facilitate this milestone in his career.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that a delegation from Cricket South Africa (CSA) has expressed satisfaction with the security measures in place for the upcoming Test series between Bangladesh and South Africa. The visit follows concerns raised after the Women’s T20 World Cup was moved from Bangladesh to the UAE due to political unrest.

The CSA delegation, which included four members, visited both Chattogram and Dhaka to inspect the facilities and observe security protocols. According to BCB cricket operations manager Shahriar Nafees, the delegation thanked the BCB and security forces for their efforts in ensuring player safety.

South Africa is scheduled to arrive on October 16, with the first Test in Dhaka starting on October 21, followed by the second Test in Chattogram on October 29.

In a move that strengthens cricket ties between India and Afghanistan, the BCCI has granted permission for Afghanistan to host its upcoming series against Bangladesh in India. The series will be held at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, marking Afghanistan’s return to this venue after a four-year absence.

The white-ball series, scheduled for July and August, will feature three ODIs and three T20Is between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh team will arrive in Greater Noida on July 22nd, with the first ODI taking place on July 25th. The remaining ODIs will be on July 27th and 30th. The T20I series starts on August 2nd and concludes on August 6th, with Bangladesh departing on August 7th.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in India: Schedule

– Arrival: Bangladesh team arrives on July 22nd

– First ODI: July 25th

– Second ODI: July 27th

– Third ODI: July 30th

– First T20I: August 2nd

– Second T20I: August 4th

– Third T20I: August 6th

– Departure: Bangladesh departs on August 7th

The BCCI has designated two venues in Uttar Pradesh for Afghanistan’s home series – Greater Noida and Kanpur. This follows a trend established in 2015, when Afghanistan played matches in Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida.

While the Bangladesh series will be held in Greater Noida, other upcoming Afghan matches might be played at either the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur or the Greater Noida stadium. Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium is a well-known venue for international matches and will host the second Test between India and Bangladesh starting September 27th.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has assured that preparations for the India-Bangladesh Test series in Kanpur are underway. He confirmed that the pitches at Green Park Stadium will be in optimal condition by September, addressing any shortcomings before the matches.

This series marks another chapter in the growing cricket relationship between India and Afghanistan, offering a platform for competitive cricket and fostering strong sporting ties between the two nations.

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman faced a scary moment during a training session with the Comilla Victorians when he was struck on the head by a shot from Litton Das. The left-arm pacer was left bleeding and had to receive first aid at the venue before being rushed to the hospital for further treatment.

Thankfully, subsequent CT scans revealed that Mustafizur did not suffer any internal bleeding. A media release issued by team physio SM Zahidul Islam Sazal stated, “During practice a ball hit directly at the left parietal area (head) of Mustafizur Rahman. There was an open wound at his parietal area and we have worked with compression bandage to stop bleeding and immediately shifted him to Imperial hospital.”

“After CT scan we are satisfied that he’s had only an external injury. There was no Intra-Cranial bleeding. Now surgical team has given him stitches to treat the open wound. Now he is under close supervision of Comilla Victorians team physio.”

The incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in professional sports and highlights the importance of safety measures during training sessions. We wish Mustafizur Rahman a speedy recovery.