Shakib Al Hasan Can Continue Playing For Bangladesh; BCB Decision On Ban Pending Case Outcome

On Tuesday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that Shakib Al Hasan can continue to play for Bangladesh while the legal process unfolds regarding his involvement in a murder case related to recent unrest in the country. This decision follows a request from Rafiqul Islam 's legal representatives, who had sought Shakib’s immediate suspension from cricket. Rafiqul Islam is the father of Rubel, a garment factory worker who was killed on August 5 in Dhaka's Adabor.

Shakib has been implicated in a First Information Report (FIR) alongside 146 other individuals in connection with the civil unrest that recently led to a change in government. In response to these allegations, Shajib Mahmood Alam, a Supreme Court lawyer , sent a formal notice to the BCB last week, urging the board to impose a ban on Shakib from international cricket. The BCB has stated that it will make a decision on Shakib's status after the conclusion of the first Test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

The notice, which Cricbuzz has reviewed, argues that Shakib, being involved in a criminal case, should be removed from the national team in accordance with ICC regulations. It also called for his return to Bangladesh to commence the investigative process.

BCB president Faruque Ahmed commented on the situation in an interview with the Bengali Daily Prothom Alo: "He [Shakib] will continue playing. We received a legal notice about bringing him back and we replied to them saying this [that he will continue to play]."

He further explained, "Right now the FIR is filed and it is in the initial stage and there are a lot of steps after this, and until he is proven guilty, we will make him play. The Bangladesh team will go to India after the Pakistan series and we want him in that series as well."

"He is our contracted player and if necessary, we will provide him with legal assistance," he added.

Shakib Al Hasan is set to remain abroad after the Pakistan series, as he will head to England for a four-day match with Surrey. The BCB had earlier issued him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the period from September 5 to 14. Shakib is expected to return to action for Bangladesh later next month when the team plays against India in a two-Test series, followed by three T20 Internationals.