Shakib discouraged from returning to avoid unwanted situations, says Asif Mahmud

Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan confirmed on Thursday that Shakib Al Hasan was discouraged from returning to Bangladesh to avoid any "unwanted situations." He stated, "To prevent any untoward incidents during the South Africa and Bangladesh series, Shakib has been advised not to come to Bangladesh for now. This decision ensures both player safety and the protection of the country's image in international sports." In a dramatic twist, Shakib's anticipated return to play his farewell Test was halted midway through his journey. While in transit in Dubai, the government advised him not to return due to the rising protests against him. Despite BCB initially naming him in the squad for the first Test against South Africa, the protests escalated, with effigies of Shakib burned and further demonstrations threatened. On Thursday, protesters gathered outside Mirpur Stadium, carrying placards and chanting slogans against Shakib. A group of students under the banner "Mirpur's student community" even submitted a memorandum to the BCB, demanding that Shakib be excluded from the squad. They threatened strikes and blockades if their demands were not met. The protesters stated that while they had no issue with Shakib's arrival in the country, they strongly opposed him playing. "Whether Shakib Al Hasan comes to the country or not is his business. However, we cannot accept him wearing the Bangladesh jersey and representing the country while being an MP for the Awami fascist government," one protester said. In response to the rising protests, Asif Mahmud emphasized that while everyone wants to see Shakib retire from the field, the political and public backlash against his association with the government created a volatile situation. Although Shakib had apologized for his past silence on student movements, the protests suggested that the anger had not subsided. Shakib, who also serves as a Member of Parliament, was elected earlier this year as the Awami League's representative for Magura-1. His involvement in the political sphere has sparked controversy, with his name being linked to the murder case of garment worker Rubel during a student protest, where he was listed as the 28th accused. Shakib's silence during the student movement has drawn significant criticism over time.