Bangladesh made a watchful start in the second and final Test in Kanpur what could have been the country’s ace cricketer Shakib Al Hasan’s last game.
India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and put the visitors into bat first, in a bid to use the early moisture of the wicket.
The toss was held in time but the wet outfield, following an overnight rain, forced a delayed start to the match. Bangladesh reached 46-2 in 16 overs with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto batting on 16 with Mominul Hauqe on 1.
India pacer Akash Deep Singh removed both of the openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan.
The match will be ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan’s final away Test and possibly his last game, donning Bangladesh jersey as he expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket following the home series against South Africa next month.
He also announced his retirement from T20 cricket with immediate effect but planned to continue ODI cricket till the 2025 Champions Trophy.
But after what happened in BCB last night, it is more or less clear that wouldn’t get the clearance from the cricket apex body for his security and safe exit.
Shakib, who was charged with a murder case following the ouster of Awami League-led government, said yesterday that the Kanpur Test will be his last unless the BCB provides him the necessary security once he returns to the country.
Shakib, the former lawmaker from the past Awami League government has been away from the home since the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
Hours after his press conference in Kanpur, BCB president Faruque Ahmed refused to take any responsibility of Shakib’s security, saying that the decision regarding the allrounder should come from the highest authority of the government.
After Faruque’s statement, it is clear that Shakib would have to end his Bangladesh career abruptly.
