Cricket

Shakib Al Hasan Protests Erupt Outside Bangladesh StadiumOn Sunday, the day before the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa, a clash erupted outside the Shere Bangla National Stadium between pro-Shakib Al Hasan and anti-Shakib Al Hasan groups.The "Shakibians" demanded the reinstatement of Shakib in the Test squad, while the opposing group, Mirpur Chhatra Janata, had earlier sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) demanding his removal.The clash occurred as the South African team trained inside the stadium. Security forces intervened to disperse the protesters, and one person was reportedly detained.Shakib's inclusion in the squad had sparked controversy due to his political affiliations with the Awami League party, which was overthrown in August. The BCB withdrew him from the team on Friday, citing security concerns.Shakib's fans have since staged protests outside the stadium, demanding his reinstatement. On Sunday, they were met with barricades and security forces.The BCB has not yet commented on the protests or Shakib's future with the national team. The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa is scheduled to begin on Monday.

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed disappointment over the absence of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from the first Test against South Africa, which was expected to be Shakib's farewell match. However, Shanto emphasized the team's focus on the upcoming series.Shakib's absence stems from protests in Dhaka against his involvement in politics. The government advised against his arrival, citing security concerns. "It is unfortunate. It should have happened," said Shanto. "But we can't dwell on it. We have to concentrate on the two Tests."Shanto acknowledged the challenge of replacing Shakib, who has been a pivotal figure for Bangladesh. "It's tough to match him," he said. "He allowed us to play an extra batter or bowler. Now, the No. 7 spot becomes crucial."Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to step into Shakib's role. "Miraz has shown he can do it," said Shanto. "He's bowling and batting superbly. He's taking on more responsibility and has improved his batting."Uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad has been called up to replace Shakib. Shanto praised Murad's first-class record and expressed confidence in his spin attack. "We have four quality spinners," he said. "Murad deserves his selection. Nayeem has also played well recently."Bangladesh enter the series after a 2-0 victory in Pakistan and a 2-0 defeat in India. Shanto believes the team can build on their recent performances. "We're confident," he said. "We have a good team and we're ready for the challenge."

Bangladesh cricket is experiencing a tumultuous period, but newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons is determined to keep the focus on the upcoming Test series against South Africa.Simmons, who replaced Chandika Hathurusinghe on Tuesday, faces a challenging task. Shakib Al Hasan, the team's star all-rounder, has withdrawn from the Test side due to ongoing protests against him. Additionally, Hathurusinghe has publicly criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) since his dismissal.Despite these distractions, Simmons is adamant about maintaining the team's concentration on the cricket. "Our job is to keep the players focused on the cricket and not on the outside noise," he said. "We can control how we prepare for Monday, and that's how we're trying to get the team to focus."Simmons brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role, having worked with several international teams and T20 franchises. He believes his past experiences will be invaluable in preparing Bangladesh for the Test series."Afghanistan helped me with the language barrier sometimes. Ireland helped me with developing young players. It all comes in handy at the end of the day," he said.Simmons has been impressed by the young players in the Bangladesh squad, particularly their performance in the recent Test series win against Pakistan. He believes they have the potential to beat South Africa, who have not won a Test series in the subcontinent in the last ten years."Bangladesh are usually very strong at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series," Simmons said. "South Africa has that record hanging over their head, but they are a resilient team. They will work hard to change that."Simmons is confident in Bangladesh's chances, but he is also wary of taking South Africa lightly. He believes the team must prepare thoroughly and execute their plans effectively to achieve success.

Shakib Al Hasan's Absence Sparks Protests as Bangladesh Prepares for South Africa Test SeriesBangladeshi cricket fans gathered outside the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday to protest the exclusion of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from the national team ahead of the upcoming home test series against South Africa.Shakib, who is also a politician, had initially flown from the United States to join the Bangladesh team but abruptly canceled his trip while in Dubai, citing "security concerns." The development sent shockwaves through the cricket community, with hundreds of Shakib's supporters taking to the streets to express their outrage."Shakib is one of the best cricketers in the world. You can't exclude him from the team," said one fan wearing a Bangladesh jersey. "He didn't do anything wrong. Why is he being barred from coming home?"Another supporter added, "Shakib wants to say goodbye to cricket from Mirpur, not Kanpur. He will do it on his own terms."The fans fear that Bangladesh cricket will suffer without Shakib's presence. "The team is immobile without him," said one fan.Shakib's absence stems from his involvement in politics. He joined the ruling Awami League party in 2023 and won a parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election. However, the party has been accused of committing crimes during a recent uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Shakib is one of the accused in these cases.Despite the allegations, Shakib had expressed his desire to continue playing cricket and had sought security guarantees from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The BCB initially responded positively and announced his inclusion in the team. However, Shakib's decision to cancel his trip has raised questions about his safety concerns.The BCB has since appointed former West Indies batter Phil Simmons as the new head coach of the national team, replacing Chandika Hathurusinghe.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Terminates Chandika Hathurusinghe as Head CoachTwo days after suspending Chandika Hathurusinghe, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has terminated his contract as the national team's head coach. The decision was made on the grounds of misconduct and breach of employment terms.BCB President Faruque Ahmed revealed that Hathurusinghe had assaulted a Bangladesh cricketer and taken more leaves than stipulated in his contract. The board issued a show-cause notice to Hathurusinghe, seeking an explanation for these alleged offenses.Hathurusinghe responded to the notice, prompting an emergency board meeting to review the situation. After careful consideration, the BCB deemed Hathurusinghe's explanation unsatisfactory and unacceptable, finding his actions consistent with misconduct and dereliction of duty."His termination comes into immediate effect," a BCB release stated.This marks the end of Hathurusinghe's second stint as Bangladesh coach, despite his contract extending until January 2023. During this tenure, Bangladesh achieved a historic Test series victory in Pakistan. However, the team's performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup were disappointing.Phil Simmons has been appointed as the new head coach until the Champions Trophy in February 2025.

Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder for Bangladesh, has expressed his reluctance to travel to Dhaka for the upcoming first Test against South Africa due to ongoing protests against him in the city. Shakib's inclusion in the Bangladesh squad for the Test, which was set to be his final appearance in the format, has sparked controversy.Shakib's concerns stem from the recent arrests of several Awami League leaders, including himself, who was named in an FIR for an alleged murder during unrest in his hometown of Magura. The all-rounder had previously expressed fears for his safety if he returned to Bangladesh.Despite assurances from selectors that he would be granted safe passage, students began protesting Shakib's imminent arrival on Wednesday evening. A group known as "Mirpur Chhatro Janata" informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of their intention to protest Shakib's appearance at the stadium.As a result, Shakib was reportedly advised to remain in Dubai, where he was transiting from New York. Although his flight to Dhaka is scheduled for Thursday evening, it is highly unlikely that he will make the trip.Shakib's absence from the first Test would be a significant blow to Bangladesh's hopes of a positive start to the series. The all-rounder is one of the team's most experienced and influential players, and his presence would have been crucial in the absence of several other senior players.The BCB is facing a difficult situation, as they must balance the safety of their players with the demands of the protesters. It remains to be seen whether Shakib will eventually travel to Dhaka or if he will be forced to miss the Test altogether.

Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary Bangladeshi all-rounder, is set to bid farewell to Test cricket on home soil in the upcoming series against South Africa. The first Test, commencing on Monday, will mark Shakib's final appearance in the longest format before his adoring home crowd.Shakib's decision to retire from Tests was prompted by his desire to focus on limited-overs cricket and spend more time with his family. However, he expressed his wish to play his final Test at home, a request that was initially met with uncertainty due to security concerns.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had initially declined Shakib's request, citing its inability to guarantee his safety. However, following a change in leadership at the BCB, the board has now agreed to provide security for Shakib, paving the way for his farewell appearance.Shakib's return to the Bangladesh Test team comes after a period of controversy. He was accused of involvement in the murder of a student, but the veteran all-rounder was in Canada playing in a T20 league at the time of the incident.Despite the allegations, Shakib has issued an unconditional apology for his silence during the civil unrest in Bangladesh, which led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He expressed his respect for the students who sacrificed their lives and apologized to those who were hurt by his silence.Shakib's farewell Test will be an emotional occasion for both the player and the Bangladesh cricket fans. He has been a cornerstone of the Bangladesh Test team for over a decade, amassing over 6,000 runs and 235 wickets. His all-round abilities have played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's rise as a competitive Test nation.In his farewell message to the fans, Shakib expressed his gratitude for their support and his desire to end his Test career on a high note. He invited the fans to join him in this special moment and thanked them for their unwavering belief in him.Following the two-Test series against South Africa, Bangladesh will depart for the UAE to face Afghanistan in a three-match series. Shakib, who is also a key member of the ODI side, will be part of the squad that will travel to the UAE, marking his departure from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's Khaled Ahmed Omitted from Test Squad for South Africa SeriesFast bowler Khaled Ahmed has been excluded from Bangladesh's squad for the upcoming first Test against South Africa, scheduled to commence on October 21 in Mirpur. This marks the sole alteration to the 16-man contingent that toured India in September and October.Ahmed featured in only the second Test against India in Kanpur, where he bowled four overs in the first innings, conceding 43 runs without claiming a wicket. Bangladesh will host South Africa for two Tests, with the second match taking place in Chattogram from October 29.This series marks the first assignment under interim coach Phil Simmons, who joined the squad on Wednesday following the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) decision to remove Chandika Hathurusinghe from the position due to disciplinary reasons.Bangladesh currently occupies the seventh position in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, having secured a 2-0 victory in Pakistan and suffered a 2-0 defeat in India. South Africa, on the other hand, stands fifth in the WTC standings, having recently emerged victorious in a two-Test series against the West Indies in August.Bangladesh Squad for First Test against South Africa:* Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)* Shadman Islam* Mahmudul Hasan Joy* Zakir Hasan* Mominul Haque* Mushfiqur Rahim* Shakib Al Hasan* Litton Das* Jaker Ali* Mehidy Hasan* Taijul Islam* Nayeem Hasan* Taskin Ahmed* Hasan Mahmud* Nahid Rana

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe for disciplinary reasons. The suspension, effective immediately, will last for 48 hours, after which Hathurusinghe will be "terminated immediately." Phil Simmons will assume the role of interim head coach until the 2025 Champions Trophy.Hathurusinghe's second stint as Bangladesh coach began in February 2022, eliciting mixed reactions from former captains, including current BCB president Faruque Ahmed, who questioned the decision to reappoint him.Under Hathurusinghe's leadership, Bangladesh's performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup were underwhelming. However, he guided the team to a historic 2-0 Test series victory against Pakistan in Pakistan, their first overseas Test series win in 15 years.Despite this achievement, Bangladesh's subsequent tour of India resulted in a 2-0 Test series loss and a 3-0 T20I series loss, including a record-breaking defeat in the third match.Hathurusinghe's suspension comes amid growing criticism of his coaching methods and the team's recent performances. The BCB has not yet disclosed the specific disciplinary grounds for his suspension.