The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed today said that the star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has stood on a good chance to retire from the Test cricket during the two-match Test series against South Africa later this month.
The ace allrounder earlier said he is keen to walk into the sunset after playing a Test against South Africa in Mirpur, if he is given the security assurance.
While announcing his retirement plan during Bangladesh's Test series against India, he also demanded a safe exit from the country after the South Africa series.
"I've had contact with Shakib," Faruque told the reporters following a board meeting today in Mirpur. "As he is keen to bid farewell to the Test cricket from the home ground, I think he has now stood on a good chance."
The BCB chief's comments came three days after sports adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan expressed his hope to see Shakib retire from home in front of his fans.
Shakib, also the former Awami League lawmaker went back to USA to play the US National T10 League after the India series.
Whether he will come to Bangladesh is uncertain, with a murder case filed against him and many other members of his political party.
Hours after Shakib revealed his retirement plan, Faruque refused to ensure any security assurance, saying that BCB is no law enforcement agency which can give any assurance to any particular player.
There has been a lot of discussion in various circles after BCB president's comment on Shakib's security.
But according to BCB boss, this assurance must come from the highest levels of government.
While Faruque was more accommodating in his reply today, he cleared his stance of Shakib's legal aspects once again.
"As I said earlier, I can't speak about the legal aspects. I am just a board president, I am a small human being with little power," he said, adding that the government will deal with Shakib's issue.
"There is law enforcement agency, there is government. There are advisers who will decide to take overall responsibility."
But Faruque ensured Shakib's security on the ground, saying that, "While he will be in the stadium, we'll take care of his security. We'll ensure that he will train without any problems."
"Taking these responsibilities is very easy. We won't back out to take that responsibility."
South Africa are set to arrive in Bangladesh on October 16, with Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, considered as the country's home of cricket, hosting the opening Test from October 21.
The second and final Test is in Chattogrom from October 29.
