DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in-charge of cricket operations Shahriar Nafees has confirmed that the board is contacting all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan regarding his participation in the Test series against Pakistan.
Shakib is currently playing in the Global T20 Leggue in Canada and his No Objection Certificate (NOC), issued by the BCB, will expire on August 12.
The two-Test series against Pakistan will begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi and Bangladesh are yet to announce their squad.
“Shakib Al Hasan’s NIGHT is on until August 12. He is to return to the country on August 13 and report back to us. He still has two to three matches left and we will communicate with him and try to know his plans,” Shahriar said about Shakib in a press conference.
Shakib was a member of parliament of the then ruling Awami League party, which was removed during the recent protests in Bangladesh. Shahriar confirmed that the all-rounder is now just a cricketer as he dismissed security concerns surrounding him.
“Shakib is now a cricketer. Now he is only a cricketer. Every human being is concerned about security,” Shariad said.
“Since he has NOC until the 12th, then he should join us. The BCB selection committee has not announced the squad for Pakistan yet. When he announces the team, if he is selected, there are separate measures, and if he is not there, then another. If it’s not there, his NOC is useless.”
The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to land in Islamabad in the early hours of August 17 and is expected to train in the afternoon of the same day.
