Shakib Al Hasan confirmed that he would not be going to Dhaka for the first Test against South Africa that starts on January 9, as protests against him are yet to die down in the city. The all-rounder was named in the Bangladesh squad where some fans had protested against him recently.

“I’m not sure where I’m going next, but it’s pretty close to a sure thing that it’s not home,” Shakib said via WhatsApp to ESPNcricinfo.

Safety Concerns Amid Political Unrest

Shakib earlier expressed safety concerns over Bangladesh, particularly since the arrest of several leaders of the Awami League on August 5, when the government effectively resigned after 15 years in power. A former Member of Parliament from Magura, Shakib is among 147 people included in an FIR into an alleged murder amid the unrest.

Despite being reportedly told that the selection committee has given him a “green signal,” Shakib faces immediate protest upon his very probable arrival. Demonstrations started on Wednesday evening due to a gang that styles themselves as “Mirpur Chhatro Janata,” sending a notice to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declaring their intentions to protest his appearance at the stadium.

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Current Situation

At the end of late Wednesday, he was asked to sit in Dubai for a few more days, while in the process of transiting from New York, as protests picked up in the country. He will catch his flight this evening still possessing a little hope to reach Dhaka this day.

This leaves a big question about Shakib’s presence in international cricket and an even larger question about the future of Bangladesh under the prevailing political scenario.

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