Bangladesh’s cricket team captain expressed confidence in ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s performance in the upcoming Test match against Pakistan, despite protests regarding his inclusion. Shakib, who is also a former lawmaker, was granted permission to play in the Test series after the political crisis led to protests and the dissolution of the Bangladesh parliament. The interim government allowed Shakib to join the team for the two Tests against Pakistan, starting with the first match on Wednesday.
The skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto, emphasized Shakib’s professionalism and experience in the game, stating that his focus is on cricket rather than his political career. Shanto expressed optimism that Shakib would deliver an exceptional performance in the series. Shakib, known as Bangladesh’s key all-rounder, has an impressive record in Tests with 4,505 runs and 237 wickets as a spinner, making him a valuable asset to the team.
Despite Shakib’s inclusion in the squad, there were protests in Dhaka over his continued participation, with criticism from former Bangladesh Cricket Board members and fans. Shakib, who has not publicly commented on the political unrest, faced backlash for staying silent as protesters clashed with security forces in Bangladesh. As the team arrived in Pakistan for the Test series, Shakib faced further scrutiny from Bangladeshi fans during his participation in the Global T20 League in Canada.
The ongoing unrest in Dhaka disrupted the team’s practice sessions, but the Pakistan Cricket Board extended an invitation for the Bangladeshi team to arrive early to compensate for their lack of preparation time. Despite the challenges, Shanto remains hopeful that Bangladesh can improve their Test record against Pakistan, having lost 12 out of their last 13 Tests with just one draw. He believes that the team has a balanced lineup and is capable of producing a strong performance in the series.
The upcoming Test match in Rawalpindi is at risk due to predicted bad weather that could affect all five days of play. However, the team remains focused on their preparations and is determined to make a strong showing against Pakistan. The second Test match is scheduled to take place in the same stadium from August 30. The squad line-ups for both teams have been announced, with key players like Babar Azam for Pakistan and Shakib Al Hasan for Bangladesh expected to play crucial roles in the outcome of the series.
