Shakib Al Hasan compelled to miss BAN vs SA Test, Murad named as replacement

Seems like the path for attaining the ideal conclusion to his Test career isn't as smooth as Shakib Al Hasan would have wanted. The seasoned all-rounder expressed his desire to put an end to his Test run during the South Africa Tour of Bangladesh at his home. On Wednesday, his desire seemed to be on the brink of turning true when he was named in the Bangladesh squad for the first red-ball clash. However, with Bangladesh engulfed in poiltical flames and Hasan engaged in another complex case himself, the 37-year-old keeps inching further away from his dream.

Shakib Al Hasan stays back in New York, set to miss the Bangladesh vs South Africa Test

Shakib Al Hasan, the veteran all-rounder, may have played his final Test match after being forced to withdraw from Bangladesh's first home Test against South Africa. He couldn’t make it to Dhaka earlier this week while traveling from New York, resulting in his unavailability for the Bangladesh vs South Africa match starting on October 21 in Dhaka. In his place, uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad has been called up, for what was initially supposed to be Shakib’s farewell Test.

Shakib had been traveling from New York and was delayed while in transit in Dubai on Wednesday. He raised concerns about returning to Dhaka due to political unrest and protests against him. Although Hasan was initially named in Bangladesh's Test squad, the uncertainty surrounding his return led to his withdrawal from what was meant to be his final home Test, a farewell match he had discussed during Bangladesh's tour of India last month.

Shakib, who is a Member of Parliament with the Awami League, was named in the murder case of a student. However, the cricketer reportedly happened to be in Canada at the time, participating in the Global T20 Canada. Since then, he has not been able to return to Bangladesh due to safety concerns. After leaving Canada, Shakib traveled to Pakistan for a two-Test series, then to the UK to play for Surrey in the County Championship, and finally to India for the India vs Bangladesh Test series. Ongoing unrest has kept him away from home, and he currently resides in New York.

As for his replacement, 23-year-old Hasan Murad, he has shown promise with 136 wickets in 30 first-class matches since his debut in 2021 and has already represented Bangladesh in two T20Is, including in last year's Asian Games.