Shakib ruled out of first SA Test, Murad called up as replacement

In a surprising turn of events, Shakib Al Hasan, the renowned allrounder, has been forced to withdraw from what was speculated to be his final Test match for Bangladesh. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unable to travel from New York to Dhaka in time for the first home Test against South Africa, scheduled to begin on October 21. As a result, the talented Hasan Murad, a left-arm spinner who is yet to make his Test debut, has been called up as Shakib's replacement for this important match. This unexpected development raises questions about the future of Shakib's Test career and leaves fans wondering if this could indeed be the end of an era for the cricketing legend.

Shakib, who was traveling from New York to Dhaka was asked to wait while in transit in Dubai on Wednesday, had expressed uncertainty around returning home because of protests against him in Dhaka amid political unrest. Shakib was initially included in the Test squad and it was supposed to be his farewell game at home, he had said on the tour of India last month.

Shakib has not been able to return home in Bangladesh ever since the Awami League's government resigned after 15 years in early August. Shakib, an MP with the Awami League, was already in Canada at the time for the Global T20 Canada and has not been to his home country since then. He flew to Pakistan for the two-Test series Bangladesh won, he went to the UK to play one first-class game for Surrey in the County Championship in September, before going to India for the two Tests. Unable to return home because of ongoing safety issues, he went to New York where he currently stays. Shakib has been named among 147 people in an FIR for an alleged murder during the unrest.

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Murad, 23, has taken 136 wickets in 30 first-class matches since his debut in 2021, and has already played two T20Is, in the Asian Games last year.

"We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test," chairman of BCB's national selection panel Gazi Ashraf Hossain said in a press release. "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."

The second Test between Bangladesh and South Africa will be played in Chattogram from October 29.