DHAKA, Aug 20, 2024 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes 
that ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan will deliver a special performance, 
leaving behind the ongoing situation at home, that keeps him in a discomfort 
state.

Shakib joined the side straight in Pakistan from USA and is yet to return to 
Bangladesh since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. Shakib, who 
was elected as a member of parliament from Awami League in the general 
elections held in this year's January, was in Canada taking part in the 
Global T20 League when the parliament got dissolved. 

He has been vehemently criticized and some even jeered him in Canada during 
the Global T20 League for his silence during the student protests.

And with the change of government, the place of Shakib also looked shaky as 
he was out of the country. However Shakib showed his desire to continue 
cricket and the team management kept him in the squad on his merit, 
considering him a cricketer only, not a political personality.

The situation is believed to take a toll on his mental state but Shanto ruled 
it out, saying as a professional cricketer Shakib has the ability to deal 
with any adversities. 

"He is a professional cricketer, and we all treat him as a cricketer," Shanto 
said of Shakib. 

"He has been playing cricket for so long and so he knows his role, he knows 
how to prepare himself. I'm not thinking about his political career. I hope 
he will do something special in this series."

An eye problem of Shakib was detected during the 2023 ODI World Cup and since 
then it has been problematic for him, keeping his batting ability at bay.

Head coach Chadika Hahturusingha however said that Shakib looks okay as far 
as his eyes are concerned. 

The Bangladesh's record against Pakistan is abysmal, having lost 12 out of 
13. The rest one is drawn. The Tigers also lost all five Tests they have 
played on Pakistan soil with the one-wicket defeat in Multan back in 2003 
being their best performance by far.