Shanto calls Shakib's absence 'unfortunate', criticizes social media pandits

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his disappointment over Shakib Al Hasan's absence from what was expected to be his farewell Test at home, calling it "unfortunate." 

The team is now working to adjust their combination for the first Test against South Africa in Mirpur, which starts on Monday.

Shakib, who had been included in the initial squad and was set to return from the USA, opted out after being advised by the government not to return due to security concerns. The veteran all-rounder, a former Awami League lawmaker, returned to the USA instead, leading to left-arm spinner Hasan Murad being named as his replacement.

Addressing the situation at a press conference on Sunday, Shanto acknowledged the emotional impact of Shakib's absence. "It's very unfortunate that Shakib won�t be getting a farewell Test at home. It should have happened, but we all understand the reasons behind it," Shanto said. "The entire team feels that this farewell is pending, but I don�t want to focus too much on it before an important Test match."

Shanto also admitted that Shakib�s absence had disrupted the team�s preparations. "Of course, he was in our plans. Shakib is one of the best players in the world, not just in Bangladesh. It's been challenging to find the right combination after his exit, but we have capable players who will step up and do their part."

With the Test series being a key part of the ICC World Test Championship, Bangladesh will now have to adapt quickly as they face South Africa without their star all-rounder.

Despite the controversies surrounding Shakib, Shanto expressed hope that the legendary cricketer would one day play his final Test match on home soil. "He hasn�t retired yet, so we can hope," Shanto commented, referring to Shakib's previous statements in Kanpur, where he mentioned that the Mirpur Test would be his last if he could play. Since that didn�t happen, Kanpur remains his final Test venue for now.

To criticize the social pandits, Shanto jokingly remarked, "If all problems are solved by posting a status on social media, then I will also post one status everyday."

Morever, Bangladesh is yet to find a direct replacement for Shakib, a player who was not only a key all-rounder but also filled the roles of two cricketers in one. Losing Shakib will likely force the team to alter its combinations, but captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes that Mehidy Hasan Miraz could gradually fill the void left by the legendary all-rounder in the coming years.

Speaking about the challenges of replacing Shakib, Shanto acknowledged the difficulty of the task, especially on spinning wickets like those in Mirpur. Shakib�s ability to contribute both with the ball and bat, particularly at home, has left a noticeable gap. However, Shanto expressed confidence in Miraz, who he sees as a promising alternative.

"At this moment, it�s hard to match what Shakib bhai brings to the team. The captain will obviously have a tough time without him. The balance Shakib provided by being a key bowler and also a dependable batsman at number seven�it�s hard to find a player like that right now. But Miraz could be a great alternative," Shanto explained.

The captain further elaborated on his faith in Miraz, highlighting the all-rounder's recent performances. "Miraz has been doing very well in both batting and bowling in Test cricket. There�s still room for improvement, but he is ready to take on more responsibility. Look at his recent batting displays in Test matches�he's putting the team in good positions. I believe that in the next few years, Miraz will be able to step into Shakib bhai�s shoes, Inshallah."