The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are yet to ascertain whether all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will feature in Bangladesh’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting on November 6, in the UAE.  

Shakib Al Hasan wanted to play the last test of his career on home soil but the biggest cricket star of the country could not return to the country even after reaching Dubai owing to security concerns. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud advised the 37-year-old star all-rounder not to return to “avoid untoward situations”. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August, there has been uncertainty about Shakib’s return to the country.

At stumps, however, the Tigers were relieved bunch, having reduced the visitors to 140 for six, thanks to Taijul Islam who became the fastest and the second Bangladesh bowler, after Shakib, to take 200 Test wickets.

Taijul reached the milestone in his 48th Test, whereas it took Shakib 54 Tests, making him the quickest among Bangladeshi players to reach 200 Test wickets.

A proper farewell to a player has been a rarity in Bangladesh cricket. And in that context when champion all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan expressed his desire to sign off from Test cricket at the home of cricket in Mirpur against South Africa a month ago in Kanpur, the countdown started in earnest for cricket aficionados to make it a memorable occasion.

A day before the opening Test between Bangladesh and South Africa, some protesters gathered in front of Gate-1 of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, demanding Shakib Al Hasan’s participation in the contest.

The masses had turned these five cricketers into icons, placed them above every other Bangladesh cricketer and showered them with all the love they could muster. But why?

When it comes to Shakib Al Hasan, nothing is ever that straightforward.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s desire to play his farewell Test on home soil suffered a big blow yesterday when he was excluded from the 15-member squad for the first Test against South Africa, scheduled to start on October 21 in Mirpur.

Salahuddin highlighted the player’s 17 years of service to the country, a legacy that has earned Bangladesh global respect.

Murad has claimed 136 wickets in 30 first-class matches since his debut in 2021.

Shakib Al Hasan’s homecoming took a complete U-turn yesterday as the all-rounder chose not to return to Bangladesh to play his farewell Test, seemingly heading the advice of the Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.

South Africa had their first training session on Thursday ahead of the first of the two-Test series against hosts Bangladesh but the Proteas’ training was overshadowed by some off-field incidents at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan told ESPNcricinfo today that his return to the country was unlikely owing to protests against the 37-year-old in Dhaka, the venue for the first Test against South Africa, starting on October 21. 

There remains uncertainty over Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s return to the country tonight for his Test swansong.

After a lot of speculation and drama, ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to return to Bangladesh today to play his final Test -- the first Test of a two-match series against South Africa in Mirpur from October 21 to 25.

Despite all the speculations, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to arrive in the country tomorrow, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) source confirmed to The Daily Star today. 

Amid all the speculation regarding Shakib Al Hasan’s last Test in Mirpur, the selection panel included the all-rounder for the Mirpur Test which is set to be his final match in the format. Shakib is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow. 

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Wednesday urged his countrymen to stay by his side during his final Test, which is likely to be against South Africa later this month on home soil.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Faruque Ahmed expressed his hope that Shakib Al Hasan will be able to retire from Test cricket during the two-match Test series against South Africa at home later this month.