Shakib Al Hasan's Pakistan Test Series status unclear amid political turmoil

Lahore: The availability of all-rounder and Awami League leader, former Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan, for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan is a topic of discussion in Bangladeshi media.

The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to visit Pakistan for two ICC World Test Championship matches, to be held in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21 to 25 and August 30 to September 3, respectively.

Due to the political situation in Bangladesh, the team's training session in Mirpur was canceled. As a result, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) accepted an offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to move the team's arrival in Lahore from August 17 to August 13.

Shakib Al Hasan, the experienced all-rounder, is part of the Test squad and is currently playing in the Global T20 League in Canada. The BCB had issued him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) until August 12, with instructions to report back to the board on August 13.

It is noteworthy that Shakib Al Hasan was recently a member of the now-dissolved parliament, representing Sheikh Hasina Wajid's Awami League. Following the fall of Hasina Wajid's government, many Awami League leaders have gone into hiding for personal safety. This has led to speculation in cricket circles about whether Shakib will join the squad for the Pakistan tour.

According to Bangladeshi media, Shakib is reluctant to return to Dhaka under the current political circumstances and has informed the BCB that he prefers to travel directly from Canada to Pakistan, rather than joining the squad in Dhaka.

The report also mentions that the BCB's selection panel has confirmed the Bangladesh squad for the Test series against Pakistan, but the final approval is delayed due to the absence of BCB President Nazmul Hassan, who is currently in hiding.