Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, on Thursday regretted the inability to accord the country's biggest cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan his farewell from cricket on home soil.
However, he acknowledged the ongoing public discontent regarding Shakib's association with the ousted Awami League government, describing it as a natural response.
Shakib’s final Test appearance called off over security fears
"There is public resentment due to Shakib Al Hasan's association with the Awami fascist government," he stated, emphasising the importance of addressing these concerns.
Despite Shakib's efforts to clarify his political position through a Facebook post aimed at soothing public frustration, recent protests demonstrated that "it has become evident... that it was not enough." The sports adviser remarked that "those who are protesting also have the constitutional right to do so, underlining the legitimacy of their grievances."
Shakib included in squad for South Africa Test
In light of the upcoming series between South Africa and Bangladesh, Asif advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to discourage Shakib playing in the country for the time being, aiming to prevent any undesirable situations.
He explained that this decision was made "as an urgent measure to protect both the players' safety and the country's image in international sports."
Asif concluded with a call for respecting the law, stating, "If there are any complaints, solutions can be sought through the legal process."