Shakib Al Hasan clears political hurdle, joins Bangladesh squad for Pakistan Test series

Former skipper Shakib Al Hasan has joined the Bangladesh cricket team in Lahore as they commence their training session ahead of the two-match Test series against Pakistan. 

Shakib arrived directly from the United States, where he was spending time with his family after completing his stint with the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 League in Canada.

His participation in the Pakistan series was uncertain following the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, which saw the ousting of the Awami League-led government. Shakib, who served as a Member of Parliament under the now-ousted government, faced speculation about his availability for the series. 

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ended the uncertainty by naming him in the squad and confirming his availability for all eight Tests scheduled for the national team this year.

Shakib wasn't the only player from abroad to join the squad. Fast bowler Shoriful Islam, who also represented the Bangla Tigers in the Canadian T20 League, arrived to join the team from Bangladesh.

The training session in Lahore marks Bangladesh's first official preparation for the Test series. Political turmoil in Bangladesh following the fall of the government raised concerns about the players' security. 

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed that Bangladesh arrive in Pakistan earlier than initially planned. The BCB accepted the proposal and scheduled a practice session in Lahore, where the team will train until August 16 before moving to Rawalpindi, the venue of the first Test, on August 17.

The opening Test will begin on August 21, while the second and final Test will be played from August 30 in Karachi.

In a dramatic turn of events, Shakib, who lost his position as a lawmaker following the dissolution of parliament after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and escape to India, was granted permission to remain with the national side in Pakistan. 

Permission was granted by Asif Mahmud, a 26-year-old student leader who emerged as the de facto sports minister in the interim government following the student-led national uprising.

"We presented the team before the sports adviser," Iftekhar Ahmed, a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, told AFP.

"He did not oppose the inclusion of Shakib. He said that the team should be formed on merit."