Cricket

Bangladesh's selectors have made significant changes to their T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, recalling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz and opener Parvez Hossain Emon. The series, scheduled to begin next week, will mark Mehidy's return to the T20I format after a year-long absence.Mehidy, a key all-rounder in Tests and ODIs, has been entrusted with a new role in the T20I side. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain explained that Mehidy will be expected to bat higher up the order, filling the void left by the recently retired Shakib Al Hasan."We feel that Mehidy Hasan Miraz is a good batter who can handle the middle order," Ashraf said. "We didn't pick him in the previous [T20] World Cup as we usually feel that he has a strong role as an allrounder in Tests and ODIs."Mehidy's batting credentials in T20Is are modest, with 248 runs in 20 innings at an average of 14.58 and a strike rate of 118.66. However, the selectors believe he has the potential to excel in the new role.Parvez Hossain Emon, a left-handed opener, has also been recalled to the squad after impressing the selectors in recent camps. He replaces Soumya Sarkar, who has been left out.Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan has been included in the squad due to an injury to Tanvir Islam. Rakibul is expected to provide support to the pace attack, which remains unchanged.Despite his mixed performance in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, veteran Mahmudullah has retained his place in the squad. Ashraf expressed confidence in Mahmudullah's abilities and emphasized the value of experienced players.Bangladesh's T20Is against India will be played in Gwalior (October 6), New Delhi (October 9), and Hyderabad (October 12).

Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder of the Bangladesh cricket team, has expressed his desire to play his final Test match on home soil against South Africa in October. However, his request for security guarantees from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been met with a response that the board cannot provide such assurances.Shakib's concerns stem from the political unrest in Bangladesh during July and August, when he was named in a murder case related to anti-government protests. The government fell on August 5, and Shakib has not been in Bangladesh since then.BCB president Faruque Ahmed stated that the board is not a security agency and cannot provide personal security to individuals. He emphasized that Shakib's security must come from the highest level of government."Shakib's security is not in the board's hand," Faruque said. "The board can't provide an individual with personal security. He has to take a decision on that. His security has to come from the highest level of the government."Faruque added that the BCB has not spoken to anyone in the government about Shakib's case, as it is a sub-judice matter. He also said that he did not try to change Shakib's mind about quitting Test cricket."Of course there's going to be nothing like it, [if he plays] his last Test at home. Shakib is going through a difficult phase of his life. I didn't try to [talk him out of the retirement]. He thought that this was the right time for him to retire. I respect his decision."Previously, Bangladesh's law adviser Asif Nazrul expressed hope that Shakib would not be arrested if he returned to the country to play. However, Shakib remains concerned about his safety and security."I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn't have any problem going back to Bangladesh," he said. "My concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it."The BCB's stance of not being able to guarantee Shakib's safety is not surprising, as the board has limited political clout following a recent revamp.

Star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has acknowledged the formidable challenge of touring India for Test matches, emphasizing that the quality of the hosts makes the pitches less significant. Bangladesh has yet to secure a Test victory against India since their first encounter in Dhaka in 2000.Shakib, who has been a pivotal figure in Bangladesh's cricket success, expressed his admiration for India's dominance in Test cricket. "If you look at other countries, every now and then they will lose one or two games. But in India, you hardly see them losing in Test matches. So yes, I would say you are right," Shakib told reporters.Despite Bangladesh's recent Test series victory against Pakistan, Shakib drew a distinction between the two teams. "Pakistan is a relatively new team. In experience, I would say, if you look at the matches they played and if you look at our team and the matches we have played, we have got more experience than them. And in Test cricket I think that is a massive factor."However, Shakib acknowledged India's exceptional status in the cricketing world. "They are the number one team in the World Championship at this moment. They are probably unbeatable at home. I saw a stat somewhere where for some 4000 days they have been unbeaten in India. So, that shows how good they are in India."Shakib emphasized that Bangladesh must perform exceptionally well to compete against India. "We have to play really well against them to be able to show the fight that we feel like we can put on," he said.Regarding the potential impact of a spin-friendly pitch in Kanpur, Shakib downplayed its significance. "When you play against a team like India, Australia, England, pitches don't matter much because they will obviously have their weapon with which they can attack us."Shakib urged Bangladesh's young batters to step up and score big. "If I talk about batting only, I think there has been an improvement. If you see from the first innings to the second innings. First innings we bowled out for about 150. In the second innings, we scored about 250. If we can score 350, somewhere there, I think that will be a huge improvement. And 350 to 400 on first innings will give us a lot of confidence and the dressing room will feel a lot more comfortable," he said.

Shakib Al Hasan Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, Hints at Farewell in IndiaBangladesh's legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket, with his final match potentially being against South Africa in Mirpur or India in the upcoming second Test. The 35-year-old also confirmed his retirement from T20 cricket.Shakib made the announcement during a pre-match press conference in Kanpur ahead of the first Test against India. "I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur, if that won't happen, the second Test against India would be my last," he said.Shakib's Test career has been a remarkable one. In 70 matches, he has amassed 4600 runs at an average of 38.33, including five centuries and 31 half-centuries. With the ball, he has claimed 242 wickets, including 19 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket matches.His all-round abilities have made him an indispensable member of the Bangladesh team. He has often played match-winning innings and taken crucial wickets, guiding his side to memorable victories.Shakib's retirement from Test cricket will mark the end of an era for Bangladesh cricket. He has been a role model for aspiring cricketers and has played a pivotal role in the team's rise to prominence.While he may be stepping away from the longest format, Shakib is expected to continue playing One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He remains one of the most experienced and respected players in the world, and his contributions to Bangladesh cricket will continue to be invaluable.

Shakib Al Hasan's participation in the second Test between India and Bangladesh has been the subject of speculation, but head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has confirmed that the all-rounder is "eligible for selection."Shakib's performance in the first Test in Chennai was below par, with the left-arm spinner bowling only 21 overs and conceding 129 runs without taking a wicket. He also scored 32 and 25 in Bangladesh's 280-run defeat.However, Hathurusinghe has dismissed any concerns about Shakib's fitness, stating that he has not received any official complaints or reports of an injury. "I haven't heard anything officially or any complaints (about Shakib)," he said. "There is no doubt about that at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or from anyone. He's still eligible for selection."Bangladesh are in need of a better batting performance in the second Test, particularly in the first innings. Conditions in Kanpur may help, with the pitch expected to be less lively than the one in Chennai.Hathurusinghe said the players had talked about their shortcomings and it was about "whether we're able to do that in the middle. We have our KPIs, what we want, and we normally talk about if you make a start, make it big. That's the biggest concern, because some of the guys got 30 balls (and then got out). In cricket, it's the hardest thing to get in. But then, this team, India, has been posing different challenges, so we know that as well. So we have to be better for longer."Bangladesh had their left-hand heavy top-order picked apart by India's quicks in Chennai. They have the option of bringing in the right-hander Mahmudul Hasan Joy but that decision will not be a knee-jerk one."Just because of the left-handers, right-handers, is not the thing that we will take into consideration. If we are making a change, whether that batsman, whether Mahmudul Joy or whoever is coming in, what he can bring and who will miss out, and we look at it holistically like that, rather than left or right."

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's star cricketer, is expected to return home for the upcoming Test series against South Africa despite being named in a murder case. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed confidence that Shakib will not face any legal hurdles upon his arrival.The case stems from the death of Mohammed Rubel, who was fatally wounded during anti-government protests in Dhaka on August 5. Shakib, who was a member of parliament at the time, was among 147 people named in the murder case.However, the BCB's cricket operations chief, Shahriar Nafees, stated that the caretaker government has clarified that Shakib will not be "harassed." He cited statements from the chief adviser, law adviser, and sports adviser, who have emphasized that no one will be unfairly targeted in the cases filed."We believe the interim government has made its position very clear on Shakib," Nafees said. "Unless there is an injury problem or a selection-related issue, I personally don't see any reason as of now why Shakib Al Hasan should not play in Bangladesh in the home series."Shakib's return to Bangladesh has been a topic of speculation since the murder case was filed. Last month, Bangladesh's law adviser, Asif Nazrul, expressed hope that Shakib would not be arrested.Despite the legal concerns, Shakib has received support from his Bangladesh teammates. However, his silence during the student-led protests has also drawn criticism.Bangladesh is currently in India for a series of Tests and T20Is. They are scheduled to play two home Tests against South Africa in October. CSA's security team has completed its evaluation of Dhaka and Chattogram, where the Tests will be played, and is expected to inform the BCB about its decision later this week.

Shakib Al Hasan, the enigmatic Bangladesh all-rounder, has devised an unconventional method to correct his head position while batting. During the Chennai Test against India, Shakib was spotted biting down on a black strap wrapped around his neck. This peculiar technique stems from an eye condition that has plagued him since last year.Ophthalmologists have diagnosed Shakib with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC), a condition that causes fluid buildup under the retina, distorting vision. To compensate for this, Shakib has been working tirelessly to find a way to position his head optimally for sighting the ball.Previously, Shakib experimented with a neck brace to correct his head position. However, he has now come up with the strap mechanism, which he believes provides better stability. "He has come up with this strap. It is completely his idea," said Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, BCB's chief physician. "He is working on a way to hold his head position while batting."Shakib's mentor, Mohammad Salahuddin, praised his ingenuity. "I think it is good for him," Salahuddin said. "He ties it up around his neck, and biting down on it allows him to keep his neck and head steady. When the head and neck moves, the eyes also move, which is not ideal for a batter."Dr. Chowdhury emphasized that only Shakib can determine the effectiveness of this latest experiment. "It is personal thing from him. He will understand if it is working for him or not," he said.Shakib's eye condition has impacted his playing time this year, forcing him to miss matches during the BPL and Bangladesh's white-ball series against Sri Lanka. However, he has returned to international cricket and played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's recent Test series win against Pakistan.Despite his struggles in the Chennai Test, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed confidence in Shakib's abilities. "I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game," Shanto said. "I am happy with the way that every member of this Test squad has prepared and has been willing to give to the team."Shakib's innovative approach to overcoming his eye condition highlights his determination and resilience. As he continues to experiment with different techniques, it remains to be seen whether the strap mechanism will become a permanent fixture in his batting arsenal.

Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has shed light on the struggles faced by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, revealing that he is battling discomfort in his spinning finger and shoulder. This revelation comes after Shakib's underwhelming performance in the ongoing Test match against India, where he conceded 64 runs in just seven overs.Kartik, who is currently involved in broadcasting duties for the match, stated that Shakib has undergone finger surgery on his bowling finger. The injury has caused swelling and rigidity, affecting his grip and feel for the ball. Additionally, Shakib is also experiencing shoulder issues, further hindering his bowling ability."He has had a finger surgery on his bowling finger, which is the point of his finger of his left hand. It is swollen, it is rigid, there is no movement, no suppleness to it. So he feels he is not getting any feeling out of it. As a spinner, you need the feeling," Kartik explained.Shakib's finger injury dates back to the 50-over World Cup last year, where he sustained a left index finger injury against Sri Lanka. This injury kept him out of action for several months. He also faced an eye problem that delayed his return to the Bangladesh team.Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal expressed concern over Shakib's injuries, stating that if he is playing despite these issues, Bangladesh is effectively playing with one bowler short. He questioned whether the team management was aware of Shakib's injuries.However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Dr. Debashish denied any knowledge of Shakib experiencing discomfort due to an injury. He acknowledged that Shakib had a fractured finger from the World Cup but stated that he had not recently complained about any finger or shoulder injuries.Despite the BCB's denial, Kartik's revelation raises questions about Shakib's fitness and the team's decision to field him in the Test match. With Bangladesh struggling to contain India's batting lineup, Shakib's absence as a frontline bowler could prove costly.

Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has etched his name in Bangladesh cricket history by becoming the oldest player from his nation to feature in a Test match. At 37 years and 181 days, Shakib took the field on Day 3 of Bangladesh's first Test against India in Chennai, surpassing the previous record held by left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who was 37 years and 180 days when he last played a Test in 2008.Shakib, a central figure in Bangladesh cricket for more than a decade, continues to add to his illustrious career with this latest milestone. Widely regarded as one of the game's premier all-rounders, his longevity and contribution to the team have been instrumental.While Shakib's achievement is significant, the world record for the oldest Test cricketer remains with England's Wilfred Rhodes, who played his final Test at 52 years and 165 days in 1930. Rhodes' record, as well as his remarkable 30-year Test career, stands as one of cricket's longest-lasting feats.On the field, however, Bangladesh found themselves in a tough position against a dominant Indian side. Shubman Gill led the charge on Day 3 with his seventh Test fifty, and Rishabh Pant was inching toward his 12th fifty as India surged to 141 for 3 after 40 overs, extending their lead to over 350 runs.Earlier on Day 2, India pacer Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's batting lineup, claiming 4 for 50 as the visitors were bundled out for a mere 149 in their first innings. Despite efforts from experienced players like Shakib (32) and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das (22), Bangladesh struggled to mount a meaningful response to India's solid first-innings total.Shakib's inclusion in the Test team is a testament to his enduring quality and the value he brings to the side. His experience, skill, and leadership will be crucial as Bangladesh looks to navigate the challenges of the series against India.