The participation of Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the upcoming series against India is in major doubt following recent FIR lodged against him. The former Bangladeshi skipper was accused of a murder. The case is related to the death of garment factory worker Mohammad Rubel during protests in Dhaka.
What has happened with Shakib Al Hasan?
While Shakib was playing in the Global T20 Canada league on August 5 when the incident occurred, the accusation has cast a shadow over his immediate cricketing future. The situation has been further complicated by a legal notice reportedly sent to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by Supreme Court lawyer Shajib Mahmood Alam, seeking Shakib’s immediate removal from all forms of cricket.
The notice allegedly cites International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, claiming that Shakib cannot remain in the national cricket team while named in an ongoing case. However, BCB president Faruque Ahmed stated on Saturday that the board has not yet received this legal notice.
The BCB is taking the matter seriously, with Faruque indicating that a decision on Shakib’s future will be made after the opening Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Now that Bangladesh have scripted history to claim their maiden Test triumph against Pakistan, expect BCB’s response in next few days, especially before the second Test against Pakistan, scheduled to begin on August 30.
Will Shakib Al Hasan play IND vs BAN series?
The India vs. Bangladesh series, featuring two Tests and three T20Is, is set to commence with the first Test in Bengaluru on September 19. With less than a month to go, there’s uncertainty around Shakib Al Hasan’s inclusion. Well, as per the ICC rules, a player with an FIR against him cannot play international matches.
And as we know, Shakib has one FIR lodged against his name. This means that until bail is granted to the legendary Bangladeshi all-rounder, he cannot take part in any international games. If Shakib gets bail or the FIR against him gets taken back, then only he will be eligible to participate in the ensuing Tests (one against Pakistan and two against India).
As it stands, Shakib’s participation in the series remains in question. The BCB’s decision, expected in the coming days, will be crucial in determining whether the player, who has 707 international wickets to his name, will be available to face India. The board must carefully weigh the legal implications and potential ICC regulations against the team’s needs and Shakib’s rights.
