 "Shakib Al Hasan can reduce public's anger through his own words: Bangladesh sports advisor")
Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Mahmud has said that cricketer Shakib Al Hasan will be provided security when he returns to the country but the star all-rounder must make his political stand clear. Shakib - a former MP under the Sheikh Hasina regime – has said that he will retire from Test cricket after the first match against South Africa in Dhaka in November, however, if he is not given security assurance then the ongoing Kanpur Test could become his farewell match.
Shakib, 37, has not gone back to Bangladesh since departing for the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina’s guidance was toppled last month.
Shakib has two identities
Shakib who was part of the Awami League has lost a lot of popularity in Bangladesh due to his silence during the student-led protests in July and August.
Asif said that the Bangladesh government is keen on giving security to Shakib but the people of the country may not be happy with him and in such a case he needs to make his political stand clear to avoid any risks in the future.
“The state is bound to give security to each citizen. In Shakib’s case, we have to remember that he has two identities - the cricketer and the politician. He took part in the general elections from Awami League. People have mixed reactions regarding both his identities. Now we will give Shakib, the player, enough security, as much as a sportsperson. This is our responsibility if he comes to the country.” Mahmud was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Impact Shorts
View All“The public could however be angry at him for his political identity. If half the country’s population is angry at me, then the five or six security persons I have won’t be enough to protect me. Shakib can however reduce the public’s anger through his own words. I think he has to clarify his political standpoint. [Former Bangladesh captain and MP] Mashrafe Mortaza already talked about his situation. So if there are security risks from the people, then no one can give security to anyone. Even [then prime minister] Sheikh Hasina could not be provided the security, she had to flee the country. So Shakib has to make his political stance clear.”
No immediate arrest
Shakib is also named in an FIR against a murder along with 147 others.
Asif said that Shakib doesn’t have to worry about immediate arrest.
“Already the law ministry has said about his case, that a name can be removed if the person is not complicit,” Mahmud said.
The star all-rounder is expected to leave for the USA after the India tour as he is not part of the T20I squad. His family lives in America.
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