Bangladesh’s cricket captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, expressed confidence on Tuesday that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan would perform at his best in the upcoming Test match against Pakistan, despite the political turmoil surrounding his inclusion in the team. Shakib, a prominent figure in Bangladeshi cricket and former lawmaker, has been the center of controversy due to his political affiliations, which have drawn significant public and media attention.
At 37 years old, Shakib Al Hasan was a member of the now-dissolved Bangladesh parliament, which was led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The political situation in Bangladesh has been tense, with Hasina being forced to flee the country earlier this month following widespread protests. Despite the political crisis, Shakib has remained largely silent on the matter, focusing on his cricketing responsibilities.
Last week, the interim government granted Shakib permission to participate in the two upcoming Test matches against Pakistan. The first of these matches is set to begin on Wednesday. Shakib’s inclusion in the team has sparked protests in Dhaka, with some citizens and former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) members criticizing his continued involvement in the national team while the country faces significant unrest.
Speaking at a press conference, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dismissed concerns about Shakib’s political ties affecting his performance. “He has played this game for so long, so he knows his role and how to prepare himself. I am not thinking about his political career,” Shanto stated. When asked directly if the political situation might impact Shakib’s on-field performance, Shanto responded, “I don’t think so because he is a professional cricketer, and we all treat him as a cricketer, to be honest.”
Shanto further emphasized his belief in Shakib’s ability to contribute significantly to the series, saying, “I hope he will do something special in this series.” Shakib Al Hasan is widely regarded as Bangladesh’s most accomplished all-rounder, with an impressive record of 4,505 runs in 67 Test matches and 237 wickets as a spinner, making him the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh in Test cricket.
Despite Shakib’s cricketing prowess, his inclusion has not been without controversy. Protests erupted in Dhaka over his continued participation in the team, with some demonstrators criticizing Shakib for not speaking out about the political situation, especially as protesters clashed violently with security forces. One notable critic, Rafiqul Islam, a former BCB member, voiced his disapproval, arguing that Shakib’s silence was inappropriate given the gravity of the events in the country.
Shakib joined the Bangladesh squad in Pakistan last week, having just completed his stint in the Global T20 League in Canada. Even during his time in Canada, Shakib faced backlash from the Bangladeshi diaspora, who chanted slogans against him during matches. The political unrest in Dhaka also disrupted the national cricket team’s preparations, preventing them from holding regular practice sessions before the Test series.
In light of these disruptions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) extended an invitation to the Bangladeshi team to arrive in Pakistan four days early, allowing them additional time to prepare for the series. Despite the challenges, Shanto remained optimistic about Bangladesh’s chances against Pakistan. Bangladesh has historically struggled in Test matches against Pakistan, losing 12 out of the last 13 encounters, with only one match ending in a draw.
However, Shanto expressed hope that his team could turn things around this time. “We have a balanced side, and I hope we play some good cricket,” he said. “I think the record can be changed; it’s not easy, but we believe that we can do some special things.”
The Rawalpindi Test, however, faces an additional challenge from the weather. Rain is forecasted for all five days of the match, potentially impacting the outcome. Despite these uncertainties, the Bangladesh team is determined to put up a strong fight. The second Test match is scheduled to be played at the same venue starting on August 30.
As the series approaches, all eyes will be on Shakib Al Hasan to see how he navigates the dual pressures of his cricketing duties and the political controversies surrounding him. For Bangladesh, the series presents an opportunity to break their losing streak against Pakistan and to showcase the resilience and talent of their team, even amid challenging circumstances.
