Shakib to play South Africa Test unless injured

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be part of the Bangladesh team for the home Test series against South Africa unless he faces an injury or selection issue, confirmed an official of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Shakib, a lawmaker from the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which was ousted following a mass uprising, was charged with murder case. He was yet to return to the country after the fall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina government and played two away series in Pakistan and India from abroad.

But since Bangladesh will face South Africa in two-match Test series at home, he will have to return to country if he wants to play. "I think the honourable chief adviser, law adviser and sports adviser have spoken very clearly regarding Shakib Al Hasan and there is a clear message from the Bangladesh government that no one will be harassed unfairly in the cases that have been filed,” Shahriar Nafees, in-charge of the BCB's cricket operations, said on Monday.

“We believe the interim government has made its position very clear on Shakib. Unless there is an injury problem or a selection-related issue, I personally don't see any reason as of now why Shakib Al Hasan should not play in Bangladesh in the home series." However, Shakib’s participation in Kanpur Test against India was left in limbo following a finger injury concern. He also made a poor return with both batting and bowling in first Test in Chennai which Bangladesh lost by 280 runs. The second and final Test at Kanpur will start from September 27.