BCB gives update on Shakib's availability for second Pakistan Test amid murder charges

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cleared all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to participate in the second Test against Pakistan which starts from August 30 in Rawalpindi. 

This decision comes as a relief to the veteran cricketer, who was recently named in an FIR related to a murder case connected to political unrest in Bangladesh.

Despite the legal challenges, the BCB President has affirmed its support for Shakib. The board stated that the former skipper will continue to represent Bangladesh until proven guilty. 

"He [Shakib] will continue playing. We received a legal notice regarding bringing him back and we replied them saying this [that he will continue to play]," BCB president Faruque Ahmed said.

Earlier, the BCB had announced that they would make a decision about Shakib’s future after the first Test against Pakistan. The board also received a legal notice from a Supreme Court lawyer requesting Shakib's removal from all forms of cricket and his return to Bangladesh. 

However, the BCB has committed to providing legal assistance to Shakib and has decided to stand by him during this period.

"The FIR is in the initial stage, and there are many steps to follow. Until he is proven guilty, we will continue to support him. We also want him available for the India series after the Pakistan series," Faruque said.

"He is our contracted player and if necessary we will give him legal assistance," he added.

The 37-year-old also received public backing from Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim, both of whom have expressed their support for the all-rounder during these challenging times.

Following the Test series against Pakistan, Shakib is scheduled to travel to England to play for Surrey, having been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the BCB.

"He [Shakib] has not played red-ball cricket for a while and that is why we have given him an NOC to play for Surrey as it will help him to adjust with red-ball cricket more than anything else," a BCB official said.

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