Shakib Al Hasan had expressed his desire to play his final Test match on home soil. However, security concerns have thrown a cloud over his participation in Bangladesh’s upcoming series against South Africa. Following the downfall of the Awami League government, Shakib's ability to play in Bangladesh has come into question.

Shakib, a former Member of Parliament (MP) under the Awami League, was elected in the Magura-1 constituency. His tenure ended abruptly after the government fell in the wake of the anti-discrimination student movement in July and August. Following these political upheavals, Shakib now faces public backlash for staying silent during the protests. Adding to his troubles, he’s also been implicated in a murder case, though he was in Canada when the alleged crime occurred.

While announcing his retirement from cricket recently, Shakib mentioned that he feels unsafe returning to Bangladesh. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed admitted that the board cannot guarantee Shakib’s safety, especially due to his controversial political ties.

The situation escalated further when Asif Mahmud, the interim government’s Youth and Sports Advisor, shared his views on Shakib’s security. He stated that while they could assure Shakib’s safety as a cricketer, no one could guarantee his security as a political figure. On his social media page, Mahmud posted: “Ensuring the safety of Shakib, the player, is within our reach. However, given the public anger towards Shakib, the former MP under a fascist regime, ensuring security in that context is unrealistic.”

In a conversation with the media, Mahmud elaborated, “The BCB might have made a statement, but as a state, we are responsible for the safety of all citizens. Shakib has two identities: one as a cricketer and another as a politician. People have mixed feelings about him due to these roles. As a cricketer, we’ll provide him with the necessary protection, but the murder case he’s implicated in should be handled by the Ministry of Law. If found innocent, his name will be cleared.”

Mahmud also emphasized that Shakib's political stance has led to significant public resentment. “Even if I have five police officers and one gunman, if millions of people are angry at me, what security can those few officers provide? Shakib must clarify his political position,” Mahmud noted. “Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has already spoken out, but if Shakib doesn’t address public concerns, he’ll remain a target of resentment.”

As of now, Shakib is in India with the national team. If he fails to return for the South Africa series, his final Test match will likely be in Kanpur, marking the end of his legendary career.