Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto hopes the players will give their 100% in the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, despite the absence of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Both teams are set to clash in the two-match Test series, beginning on October 21 in Dhaka.
Last month, Shakib announced his retirement from the T20I format. He also expressed his desire to play his final test in Dhaka, provided that the Bangladesh Cricket Board ensures his safety. The safety angle comes after the 37-year-old was among 147 named in FIR for alleged murder during Bangladesh unrest in August.
Since then, he has not returned to the country and currently lives in the USA with his family. It is also due to Shakib being a Member of Parliament under the Awami League-led government that was overthrown as a result of the widespread protests. Ahead of the opening Test against South Africa, the southpaw confirmed his unavailability.
“I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home,” Shakib told ESPNcricinfo.
On the eve of the first test, Shanto expressed his disappointment at not being able to give a fitting Test farewell to Shakib in Dhaka. However, he urged the players to focus on winning both tests rather than thinking about the veteran all-rounder’s absence.
Shanto was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo:
“It is unfortunate. It should have happened. But we can’t spend too much time talking about it on the day before the Test match. [Shakib’s arrival] is not in our control, so we are not spending too much time thinking about it. We have to focus on the two important Tests and that’s what the players are doing. We had plans to send off one of the world’s best players. All of us personally feel that it remains pending.”
“Our focus is on winning the Test that starts tomorrow. We would have been happy if it was his farewell Test. We all know why he is unable to come,” he added.
The in-form all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to fill the shoes of Shakib Al Hasan in the South Africa series.
Bangladesh recently suffered a 2-0 whitewash on Indian soil
Bangladesh recently toured India for a two-match Test series and a three-match T20I series. The first Test witnessed India winning by 280 runs, and then secured a convincing seven-wicket victory in the final game. Skipper Shanto (152) was the top batter for the side and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5) took the most wickets for the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the T20I series also India complete a 3-0 whitewash. The series saw the Men in Blue registered their highest T20I score of 297.
Interestingly, Bangladesh created history by winning their maiden Test series in Pakistan before the India tour. However, they couldn’t maintain the momentum against a strong Indian side.
