Despite announcing his retirement from international cricket last month, the 37-year-old was included in the Tigers’ squad for the two Test matches against South Africa, the first of which begins on October 21.
But Shakib is also a former politician and member of parliament in the government that was overthrown by demonstrators in August, and the public’s ire has deterred him from going back to the nation.
“I was supposed to go back home… but I don’t think I can right now,” Shakib said to bdnews24.com.
It has to do with my own safety and security.
With 4,609 runs in 71 Test matches, Shakib is regarded as one of his nation’s best athletes.
With 246 Test wickets, he is the spin bowler with the most in Bangladesh’s history.
He joined the ruling Awami League party in January after Sheikh Hasina, the party’s former leader, left the nation in August.
After a fatal police crackdown on demonstrators during the revolt, Shakib is one of dozens of members of Hasina’s party who are being investigated for murder.
