Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan faces allegations linked to a murder case. As the Bangladesh cricket team celebrates a remarkable 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test of a two-match series in Rawalpindi, a significant controversy has emerged surrounding the star all-rounder. Shakib is implicated in a murder case brought forth by Rafiqul Islam, whose son Rubel was killed on August 7 amid ongoing protests in Bangladesh. During this series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) received a legal notice demanding Shakib's removal and a ban from the team.
BCB president Faruque Ahmed had previously indicated that a decision regarding Shakib's future would be made after the first Test. Recent reports from Cricbuzz confirm that the BCB has opted to allow Shakib to continue participating in the series.
"Shakib will keep playing. We received a legal notice regarding his removal, and we informed them that he will stay with the team," BCB president Faruque Ahmed stated in an interview with the leading Bengali newspaper, Prothom Alo, on Tuesday.
"The FIR has been filed, and it is still in the early stages. There are numerous legal processes to go through, and until Shakib is proven guilty, he will remain active. The Bangladesh team is scheduled to tour India after the Pakistan series, and we want him to be part of that as well. He is under contract with us, and if necessary, we will provide him with legal support," Ahmed added.
The second Test is set to wrap up on September 3, but Shakib will not be returning home; instead, he is scheduled to travel to England for a four-day match with Surrey. The Bangladesh board has already issued him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for this purpose.
"Shakib hasn't participated in red-ball cricket for a while, and that's why we have given him an NOC to play for Surrey, which will help him acclimate to red-ball format," a BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz on Tuesday.
Following his stint in England, Shakib will also participate in the upcoming two-match Test series against India, commencing on September 19.