Due to the recent anti-discrimination movement, cricket in the country was halted. The national team was supposed to start training after the fitness test last Saturday, but this has not yet happened. Shahriar Nafees, in charge of BCB's cricket operations, addressed the media on Wednesday and discussed various issues concerning the future of Bangladesh cricket, including the fate of Shakib Al Hasan.
Shakib, who was the Member of Parliament for the Magura-1 constituency from the Awami League in the last election, is currently in Canada to play in the Major Cricket League. Many people in the country are furious about his various off-field activities and political affiliation. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh cricket team is ready to start preparations for the Pakistan tour. Shakib's safety is a major issue amid this situation. Nafees was asked if Shakib would be available in Bangladesh for the Pakistan tour or if he would join the team directly from Canada.
"He was given NOC till August 12. He is supposed to report to us on August 13. Today is August 7. He has 2-3 more matches. We will contact him. We will try to know his plan," Nafees told the media at Mirpur Sher-e Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
After the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister, many members of parliament and leaders of that government party were attacked. What will be the fate of Shakib?
"According to the order of the President, Shakib is no longer a Member of Parliament. He remains a cricketer. However, everyone has security concerns. He has NOC till August 12. After that, he is supposed to join the Bangladesh cricket team," he added.
Regarding Shakib's availability for the Pakistan tour, Nafees further said, "The selection committee of BCB has not announced the Bangladesh national team for the tour of Pakistan yet. If he is in the team after the team announcement, then one. And if he is not in the team, then there is no point in his NOC."
Regarding the preparation of the 'A' team and the national team, he said, "Today we have started the practice of the 'A' team.
Due to the situation in the last 3-4 days, we could not even understand the condition of our facilities. Field workers could not work regularly. We came today and saw that the field workers have prepared everything. So, the 'A' team started practice.
Hopefully, we can start the practice of the national team tomorrow."
He also informed that the support staffs of the Bangladesh cricket team have been in the country since August 1 and they are waiting for the practice to start. The tour of both the 'A' team and the national team has been deferred by three days. The Bangladesh team is now scheduled to leave for Pakistan on August 16 to play two matches of the ICC Test Championship. The first Test will start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, and the second one will start on August 30 in Karachi.
However, before the start of practice under coach Mizanur Rahman, the cricketers observed a minute's silence in memory of the students who were martyred in the movement and prayed for the departed souls.
