Shakib Al Hasan skips return to Bangladesh post-Pakistan series

Shakib Al Hasan will play for Surrey before joining the national team for the India series.

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Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder, will not be travelling back to Dhaka with his teammates following their historic Test series win over Pakistan, confirmed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruk Ahmed. Instead, Shakib will head straight to England, where he is contracted to play for Surrey in the English county circuit.

The Bangladesh cricket team and officials departed for home on separate flights via Dubai and Doha.

Faruk revealed that Shakib obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play for Surrey before Faruk assumed the role of BCB president. "He got the NOC to play for Surrey before I joined BCB as president.

So, he will play there before joining the national team in India," Faruk said following a BCB board of directors' meeting.

A legal notice had been filed seeking Shakib’s removal from the national team following his involvement in a murder case. The murder case, filed on 22 August, accuses Shakib and 154 others, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Despite this, BCB has made its stance clear, stating that Shakib will continue playing until proven guilty. "He will continue to play for the country. We want him in the India series as well.

The complaint against him is still at the FIR stage, charges against him are not proven yet," Faruk clarified.

Shakib's availability for the India series is seen as vital for Bangladesh, with the board expressing confidence in his continued participation despite the ongoing legal issues.