The accusation

Bangladesh endured weeks of political turmoil after prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, leaving a power vacuum. Since then, the parliament was dissolved, leading to the set-up of an interim government.

As a result, Shakib also lost his job as a lawmaker for Hasina’s Awami League party. Hasina’s government was accused of murder and extrajudicial killings during her tenure, with her former ministers being among the accused.

Shakib was named as one of the accused in connection with an alleged murder of a person named Mohammad Rubel during the recent protests.

Initially, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials said that a decision on whether Shakib would be allowed to continue playing or not would be taken after the first Test against Pakistan. But the situation escalated quickly when a supreme court lawyer sent a legal notice to the BCB.

The notice called for Shakib’s immediate removal from the team, stating that as per ICC rules, a player named in a legal case shouldn’t be a part of the national team.

Teammates stand by Shakib

Shakib was permitted by the interim government to feature in the Pakistan series amid widespread protests. The all-rounder hasn’t spoken on the matter yet. However, his teammates have stood by his side, including captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

"Such a case against Shakib bhai [brother] is unexpected,” Shanto said. "In the new Bangladesh, we all want to see something new. I hope all the darkness will pass off and new light will come."

Mushfiqur Rahim, player of the match for his 191 in the first Test, also came in support of his long-time teammate "during his tough times". "I have said it many times before, and I will say it again, I am proud to play alongside a champion like Shakib," Mushfiqur said on Facebook.

In the aftermath of Pakistan’s shock Test defeat to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has raised concerns about the country’s talent pool.

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— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 27, 2024

BCB president: Shakib to continue playing amid legal proceedings

In the latest development, newly-appointed BCB president Faruque Ahmed confirmed that Shakib will continue to play for Bangladesh amid the legal process concerned with his case.

In an interview with Bengali daily Pratham Alo, Ahmed said: "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 added: "Right now the FIR is filed and it is in the initial stage and there are lot of steps after this and until he is proven guilty we will make him play. The Bangladesh team will go to India after the Pakistan series and we want him in that series as well. He is our contracted player and if necessary we will give him legal assistance."

Shakib was part of Bangladesh's maiden Test win against Pakistan last week. He was also fined 10 per cent of his match fee and was given a demerit point for breaching ICC’s Code of Conduct during the match.

What's next for Shakib?

According to a Cricbuzz report, Shakib will not return to Bangladesh after the Pakistan series ends on September 3. Instead, he will play a four-day match for Surrey. A BCB official confirmed that he was given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from September 5 to 14 to participate in the County game against Somerset.

The match between Surrey and Somerset is scheduled from September 9 to 12. After his county stint, Shakib is set to rejoin the national squad for Bangladesh's tour of India. Bangladesh will play two Tests and three T20Is in the country, starting September 19.

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