Left-arm orthodox Hasan Murad, 23, has replaced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for Bangladesh’s first Test against South Africa next week, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Friday.
Shakib had said he was almost certain he would not return home for the farewell Test following public anger over his silence during deadly protests in the country.
Shakib, 37, had apologised for his silence last week and asked fans to be present for his final Test in Mirpur. Hehas not been home since protests erupted in July, but the BCB had assured him that he would not be harassed on his return for the Test that starts on Monday.
The script, though, changed completely in the early hours of Thursday after Shakib was told to remainin the UAE by the Bangladesh interim government’s youth and sports ministry adviser, Asif Mahmud.
“We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test,” the BCB said in a statement. “He is at the end of his Test career, but along with his experience, we still do not have someone of that calibre with both bat and the ball to replace him.
“However, Hasan Murad has performed consistently in first-class cricket and has been in our system. He will lend balance to our bowling, especially in home conditions. We believe he has the potential to deliver at this level.”
Written with Reuters inputs
