Shakib Al Hasan Cleared to Play for Bangladesh

Shakib Al Hasan, a prominent Bangladeshi cricketer and former lawmaker, has made his return to the cricket field following a period of intense political upheaval in the country. The 37-year-old all-rounder was cleared by the newly established interim government to participate in a two-match Test series against Pakistan, which begins on Wednesday. His return comes after mass anti-government protests led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was forced to resign and leave the country. Despite calls from protesters to remove cricket players perceived as loyal to Hasina, Shakib has chosen to remain silent on the ongoing political crisis that has resulted in significant violence and loss of life. His performance on the field is being closely watched, especially after he faced criticism from former Bangladesh Cricket Board member Rafiqul Islam. The new de facto sports minister, Asif Mahmud, emphasized that team selection should be based on merit rather than political affiliations. Bangladesh's captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, expressed confidence that the political situation would not hinder Shakib's performance, stating that the team views him solely as a cricketer. Shakib's political career, which began with his election to the ruling party in Magura eight months ago, was abruptly ended due to widespread protests against a controversial job quota law, leading to the dissolution of the Awami League party and the ousting of its members from parliament.