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Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed the unavailability of Shakib Al Hasan for the opening Test against South Africa, naming left-arm spinner Hasan Murad as his replacement. BCB's national selection panel chief Gazi Ashraf Hossain backed Murad to showcase his first-class exploits at the international level but mentioned that Shakib remains indispensable.
The spin-bowling all-rounder, traveling from New York to Dhaka, had been asked to wait amid his transit in Dubai on Wednesday (October 16). ESPN Cricinfo had earlier reported that the former skipper has already expressed uncertainty around returning home due to the protests against him in Dhaka amid the anti-government unrest. With the left-handed batter wanting to play his final Test at home, the selectors had included him for the opening Test in Dhaka.
The veteran all-rounder has not been to Bangladesh since the Awami League's government resigned in August this year after 15 years in power. He was playing the Global T20 event in Canada that time and flew to Pakistan for the Test series. The southpaw later went to England to play a County game and followed it up with leaving for India for a two-Test rubber.
"We still do not have someone of that calibre" - Bangladesh selector on Shakib Al Hasan
Gazi Ashraf Hossain believes Murad's presence will balance their bowling attack, having been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit. Hossain explained, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
"We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first. He is at the end of his Test career but along with his experience, we still do not have someone of that calibre with both bat and the ball to replace him. However, Hasan Murad has performed consistently in first-class cricket and has been in our system. He will lend balance to our bowling, especially in home conditions. We believe he has the potential to deliver at this level."
Murad has taken 136 wickets in 30 first-class fixtures since debuting in 2021 and is likely to play Bangladesh's opening Test against South Africa.
