Bangladesh's Sports Adviser, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, has said Shakib Al Hasan will be given proper security as a player but hinted that any guarantee of his security from public anger is not possible. 

Bangladesh’s biggest cricket star is currently playing for the country in India. He announced his retirement from the Tests and T20Is during the ongoing cricket series. He also expressed his desire to play his last Test in Mirpur, with the assurance of security from the board. 

But the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief, Faruque Ahmed, said the board cannot provide security for an individual player. He also said the board is not a security agency like the police force. 

A couple of days later, Asif Mahmud came up with a stronger opinion about Shakib’s security at home. 

“We have to remember that Shakib has two identities,” Asif Mahmud said on Sunday. “He is a player and also has a political identity. He ran in an election from Awami League. People have mixed reactions to these.”

He also said that the government will provide Shakib with the necessary security as a player.

“Regarding the murder case that has been filed against him, we have already addressed it. The Ministry of Law has also said that if there is no involvement, his name can be excluded at the preliminary stage,” he added. 

The Sports Advisor hinted that it’s not possible to ensure security from public anger. 

“How many people provide security for me— five police constables and one gunman? If ten crores out of 16 crores people are angry with me, what security will five or six people provide me? In that sense, I also have no chance to get security,” Asif Mahmud said.

The overall situation increasingly suggests against Shakib’s chance to play a match in Bangladesh in the current political climate.

END/UNB/SHT/ssk