Cricket

Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary Bangladesh all-rounder, has been requested by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to undergo an analysis of his bowling action. This request comes after umpires reported him during his solitary appearance for Surrey in the County Championship this season.Shakib, now 37, made a significant impact in his first County Championship appearance since 2011, claiming nine wickets for Surrey in a thrilling clash with Somerset at Taunton in September. As a left-arm spinner, he had agreed to a short-term deal to bolster Surrey's resources during their title push, with eight players absent on England duty.Despite his immediate impact, Shakib was unable to prevent Somerset from securing a remarkable 111-run victory that briefly halted Surrey's march towards their third consecutive Championship title. He bowled over 63 overs in the fixture, and while he was not no-balled for throwing at any stage, it has now emerged that the on-field umpires, Steve O'Shaughnessy and David Millns, subsequently deemed his bowling action to be suspect.Shakib is not currently suspended from playing, but negotiations are reportedly underway for him to undergo further tests in an approved location within the next couple of weeks. This is believed to be the first time that Shakib's bowling action has come under scrutiny in his illustrious career spanning two decades. He has taken a total of 712 wickets across 447 international matches, including 246 in 71 Tests.Shakib's international career is currently in limbo following protests that accompanied his withdrawal, on security grounds, from Bangladesh's Test squad to face South Africa at Mirpur last month. He had previously served as an MP for the longstanding Awami League-led government, which was toppled amid student protests in July.

Shakib Al Hasan, the veteran all-rounder, is likely to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, according to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed. Shakib's absence stems from his decision to opt out of the series, coupled with an emotional toll following his inability to play his farewell Test in Dhaka against South Africa.Since the second Test in India, Shakib has been on a month-long hiatus from cricket. He is expected to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 League for the Bangla Tigers to gain match practice before the Caribbean tour.After the Afghanistan ODIs, Bangladesh will embark on a tour of the West Indies for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Shakib, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, will be available for the ODIs in the Caribbean and the subsequent Champions Trophy in February 2025."After Shakib couldn't come to play his (farewell) Test, he wasn't doing much practice," Faruque explained at a press conference. "I think he needs some time to regroup. We haven't taken a final decision but he looks unlikely to play the next series (against Afghanistan). He is likely to miss the series. He could be playing a T10 tournament soon. I feel he can still play for Bangladesh in the 50-over format. There are three ODIs against West Indies before the Champions Trophy."However, Faruque indicated that the board would consider Shakib for the remaining ODIs this season if the selectors deem his training and franchise tournament participation sufficient preparation. "Shakib has played for 17 years and he is part of the generation that plays a lot of franchise cricket. They know the drill. They play, sleep maybe a few hours and turn up for training. So he is geared for such situations.""It is the definitely the best possible thing to train with the team but we will consider him if the selection committee thinks that he can still deliver by training or playing tournaments abroad."The national selectors have yet to announce the Bangladesh squad for the ODIs against Afghanistan starting November 6. Meanwhile, Faruque stated that the decision for Shakib to skip the Dhaka Test last week originated from the government, with the BCB not involved in the decision-making process.

Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has cast doubt over his participation in the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, scheduled for November 6-12 in the United Arab Emirates. Shakib's uncertainty stems from a lack of communication from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding his inclusion in the squad.Speaking to Cricbuzz, Shakib expressed his confusion, stating, "How can I tell [whether I will play the ODIs against Afghanistan]? BCB should tell about it." Despite his willingness to represent Bangladesh if selected, sources within the board have raised concerns about his frequent absences from the country.The BCB's selection panel has also acknowledged the uncertainty, confirming that they have not received clear instructions from higher authorities regarding Shakib's availability. The final decision is expected to be made by the BCB's senior officials in the coming days.Shakib's participation in the ODI series has been a subject of speculation since his retirement from Test cricket and T20 Internationals in September. The all-rounder had hoped to play his final Test match at home against South Africa, but security concerns amid political unrest in Bangladesh forced him to withdraw.Despite being accused in a murder case related to the unrest, Shakib was allowed to continue playing in the Test series against India, with the BCB permitting him to remain with the national team until proven guilty. However, his absence from the subsequent South Africa series has raised questions about his future with the Bangladesh team.The BCB's decision on Shakib's inclusion in the ODI squad will be closely watched, as it could have implications for his long-term future with the national team. The all-rounder remains one of Bangladesh's most valuable players, and his absence would be a significant blow to their chances of success in the upcoming series against Afghanistan.

Shakib Al Hasan's Fans Attacked Amidst Test Retirement ControversyShakib Al Hasan, the renowned Bangladeshi cricketer, has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding his retirement from Test cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) initially approved his request to retire during the series against South Africa, but the Bangladesh government advised him against returning to the country due to security concerns.This decision sparked protests among Shakib's fans, who gathered outside the Mirpur cricket stadium in Dhaka. On Sunday, a group of individuals attacked the protesters with sticks, prompting the intervention of army and law enforcement personnel.The incident highlights the political tensions surrounding Shakib's retirement. In 2023, he joined the Awami League party and filed a nomination to contest in the 2024 Bangladesh general election. However, the party's leaders and supporters, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are facing allegations of crimes committed during a recent uprising.Shakib is one of the accused in these cases, but he expressed his desire to bid farewell to cricket after the Test series against South Africa. The BCB's decision to appoint Phil Simmons as the new head coach, replacing Chandika Hathurusinghe, further complicates the situation.The controversy has raised questions about the safety of athletes in Bangladesh and the role of politics in sports. Shakib's fans remain adamant in their support, while the government and BCB face pressure to address the security concerns and ensure a fair resolution for the cricketer.

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.

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.