DHAKA, Aug 7, 2024 (BSS)—The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will communicate with ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan very soon over his participation in the national team’s upcoming Test series against Pakistan, said the board’s in-charge at Cricket Operations Shahriar Nafees.

Shakib is currently playing the Global T20 League in Canada but his NOC will expire on August 12. He is supposed to report at BCB on August 13.

“Shakib’s NOC is till August 12 after which on August 13, he is supposed to return to the country and report to us as per initial plan,” Nafees told the reporters today at the board’s headquarters at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

“He has still two to three matches remaining in Canada. We’ll soon communicate with him and try to know his plans.”

Shakib Al Hasan was the member of the Parliament of the then ruling party Awami League. Since the fall of the Awami League government on Monday, there have been security concerns in Shakib’s case. But Nafees said Shakib is just a cricketer now.

“Shakib is a full time cricketer now. As per the president’s order in yesterday night, he is no longer an MP. He is only a cricketer and a human being. Every human being has security concerns. All I can say, since his NOC is till August 12, he is supposed to join us after that,” Nafees said.

“The BCB’s selection panel is yet to announce the team for Pakistan Test series. When they will announce the team and if he is picked, there are separate measures and if he is no picked, then another one.”

The Bangladesh is slated to fly for Pakistan on August 17 with the first Test beginning in Rawalpindi from August 21. Karachi will host the second and final Test from August 30.