Shakib Al Hasan available for Bangladesh's ODIs vs Afghanistan: BCB president

Faruque Ahmed, the BCB president, confirmed that Shakib Al Hasan would be available for Bangladesh’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shakib hasn’t donned the national colours since the Kanpur Test against India.

He was expected to play the Mirpur Test against South Africa as his ‘farewell’ in the purest format. But he was asked not to return owing to the political tensions in Bangladesh. The veteran all-rounder was later replaced by Hasan Murad.

"Regarding Shakib Al Hasan, since the team (for the three ODIs against South Africa) has not been given yet, it means he is available,"



Faruque told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Shakib was set to board the flight from Dubai to Dhaka, transiting from the United States, but he did not. The BCB chief said that he put in his best efforts to make sure that Shakib played his farewell Test in front of his home crowd.

"The first thing is that you said that he couldn't play his last Test here, but we are completely uninvolved with that situation. The law enforcement forces, the government and Shakib were [involved]. We are totally an auxiliary part in this. Personally, I tried my level best so that Shakib can get his retirement at home," Faruque added.