‘Shakib needs to clarify his political stance’

Youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said on Sunday that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan needs to clear his political stance before claiming for security to play his last Test match against South Africa at his favourite Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Shakib recently announced that he is eyeing to end his Test career at home if Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ensure his ‘safe exit’.

BCB in reply insisted that they are not in a position to ensure his security and put the ball on the government’s court.

Shakib, the former member of the Awami League government, had already been among the 156 people accused in the FIR of a murder case while there is public wrath against him after he opted to remain silent during the student movement that forced the government to step down on 5 August.

Mahmud said the state will, naturally, ensure the security of its citizens and Shakib being a cricketer, will be assigned as much security as any player receives.

"BCB addressed the issue and the state is bound to give security to each and every one of its citizens. We will obviously do this,” Mahmud told reporters during a briefing at the law ministry on Sunday.  

“In this case, you have to remember that Shakib Al Hasan has two identities – the cricketer and the politician. He took part in the general elections from Awami League's panel. People have mixed reactions regarding both his identities. Now, we will give Shakib, the cricketer, enough security, as much as a player receives. This is our responsibility and we will give him that if he comes to the country.”

“But if the general people have outrage towards him because of his political identity… For instance, I have five police constables and one gunman for my security and if 100 million people out of the 160 million are angry then can they, five or six people, protect me?”

“Hence, if the people are angry with me, then I have to reduce that with my words. I think he has to make his position clear and talk about his political standpoint,” he said.

“Mashrafee Bin Mortaza already talked about his situation. So, if there are security risks from the people, then no one can give security to anyone. Even Sheikh Hasina could not be given that security and she had to flee. So, Shakib has to make his political stand clear,” he said.

“From that, I think Shakib needs to clarify his political stance. We will provide him security as a cricketer,” he concluded.

It remains to be seen whether Shakib will make his political stance clear or not. If he doesn’t, then it’s likely that the ace all-rounder is playing his last Test against India in Kanpur.