Shakib to continue representing Bangladesh amid murder case allegations
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan would continue to represent the national team, despite being implicated in an FIR related to a murder case. Shakib, a reputed figure in Bangladesh, was named in an FIR along with 146 others. The notice was sent by Rafiqul Islam's lawyers, after his son was killed in Dhaka's Adabor on August 5, during the unrest and riots. Here are further details.
BCB received legal notice demanding Shakib's removal
Following the allegations against Shakib, Supreme Court lawyer Shajib Mahmood Alam issued the BCB a legal notice on behalf of Advocate Md Rafinur Rahman. The notice demanded Shakib's immediate removal from all forms of cricket. It argued that as per International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, a player implicated in such a case cannot remain part of the national team. The notice also called for Shakib's return to Bangladesh for investigation.
BCB stands firm on Shakib's continued participation
In response to the legal notice, BCB President Faruque Ahmed stated that Shakib will continue playing for the national team. "He [Shakib] will continue playing. We received a legal notice regarding bringing him back and we replied them saying this [that he will continue to play]," Ahmed was quoted as saying in Bengali Daily Prothom Alo. He emphasized that the FIR is still in its initial stages and until proven guilty, Shakib will remain part of the team.
BCB supports Shakib's upcoming cricket commitments
Ahmed also revealed that the team plans to include Shakib in their upcoming series in India, following the Pakistan series. "The Bangladesh team will go to India after the Pakistan series and we want him in that series as well," he said. The BCB has further supported Shakib's commitment to feature in a four-day match for Surrey in England, by granting him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Teammates rally behind Shakib amid allegations
Despite the ongoing legal issues, Shakib's teammates have rallied around him. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim expressed their support for Shakib, questioning the allegations against him. Shakib recently helped Bangladesh claim a 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The left-arm spinner took four wickets as Bangladesh secured their first-ever victory against Pakistan in Test cricket.
