|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has announced his T20I retirement today and also said he will retire from Test cricket after the upcoming home series against South Africa. However, his participation in the series, scheduled for October, depends on his security.

Shakib faces a legal case related to a murder accusation, stemming from a garment worker's death. Additionally, some of his fans have expressed anger over his silence during recent student protests.

Given the situation, Shakib has requested security and has stated that he will only play in the South Africa series if he is guaranteed safe passage out of the country after the matches. Without this assurance, the ongoing Kanpur Test might be his last.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that it cannot ensure Shakib's personal security. Shakib is currently implicated in a legal case, and while the charges remain unproven, his name is still listed, raising concerns that he could be arrested upon returning to Bangladesh.

If he does return for the South Africa series, there is uncertainty about whether he can leave the country to rejoin his family in the United States.

"We have spoken to Shakib twice. I am not part of law enforcement, so I cannot provide personal security. That responsibility lies with the authorities. The BCB does not have the capacity to issue any kind of clearance. Security must come from the government. The BCB is not an agency, police force, or RAB. Security measures must come from the government."

The BCB President also expressed his desire to see Shakib play his final Test on home soil, saying, "If Shakib can play his last Test here, I believe, like him, that nothing could be better than that."

Acknowledging the difficult situation Shakib is going through, Faruque did not ask him to reconsider his decision to retire.

"Shakib is going through a tough time in his life, in every way. I didn’t try to persuade him otherwise. He feels it's the right time for someone new to take his place in the shorter format, and he wanted to retire from Test cricket in Dhaka. I respect that." BCB boss explained.

Faruque also noted that while Bangladesh is generally safe, Shakib's involvement with the controversial government might make the country "unsafe" for him.

"Bangladesh is not unsafe, I live here. Whether it’s safe or unsafe depends on the individual. Shakib and we might not be on the same page. He’s a politician, and everyone knows that. He’s facing legal cases, so considering everything, he might not feel safe," he added.