Najmul Hossain Shanto says, Every player feels Shakib's retirement is still pending

Shakib Al Hasan's upcoming Test against India in Kanpur is likely to be his last. Although he is included in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against South Africa in Mirpur, he will not return to the country. Consequently, the selectors have had to consider alternatives for Shakib. During a press conference on the eve of the match, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stated that every player feels Shakib's retirement is still pending.

Shakib, who has been a leading all-rounder for a long time, will not fulfill his dream of retiring from Test cricket on home soil. His association with the Awami fascist government has led to public discontent, which is understandable. Despite attempting to clarify his political stance through a Facebook post, recent protests have shown that this has not been enough to alleviate public anger.

Regarding Shakib's absence, Najmul Hossain Shanto said in the press conference:

"Certainly, we are facing challenges in finding the right combination. There’s no denying that. It might take us some time to sort this out. However, it's something we have to manage. The players we have possess the capability to step up and contribute from their respective positions. I hope they will give 100% in his place."

"It's unfortunate how things have unfolded. It should have been different. But we all know why it hasn’t happened. I don't want to dwell on this much on the eve of the Test. I want every player to focus on the game."

"This isn't something to be concerned about. As I mentioned earlier, a Test match is starting tomorrow. We all know that if he could finish here, it would have been great. But our focus has shifted to how we can win the Test match."