Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is not returning to the country for his Test swansong in Dhaka due to security reasons.
Amid all the speculations, Shakib was expected to return to the country on Thursday after being named in the squad for the first of the two-Test series against South Africa.
However, after hearing the news of Shakib鈥檚 return, protests led by students broke out in many areas.
Asif Mahmud, who heads the sports ministry, then advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board to discourage Shakib from returning because of public anger.
鈥楾his decision was made to ensure the safety of players and to protect the country鈥檚 image,鈥� Asif told AFP on Thursday.
Shakib was set to return on Thursday night through a transit in Dubai, but the former Bangladesh captain have to return to the United States via Dubai instead.
鈥業 was supposed to return to the country鈥� but now, I might not be able to because of security concerns, for my own safety,鈥� Shakib told news portal Bdnews24.
When asked about a final decision regarding his return, Shakib said, 鈥榊ou could say the decision is final now.鈥�
This means that his wish to conclude his Test career on home ground is not getting fulfilled unless there is a big drama, meaning the match against India in Kanpur was the final Test of his career.
For the past few days, students protested against Shakib鈥檚 return to the country near the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
The protesters even burnt his effigy on Wednesday night. They also planned to file an appeal with the BCB to prevent him from entering the stadium. They also agreed to submit a memorandum to the board.
The student body also issued a warning to the BCB to remove Shakib from the Test squad and threatened to continue their protests, leaving the upcoming Test series in jeopardy.
Despite being one of the most celebrated cricketers in Bangladesh鈥檚 history, Shakib was silent during July鈥檚 student-led protest, which triggered the protesting students.
The 37-year-old Shakib hasn鈥檛 returned to Bangladesh since the toppling of Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 government, where he served as a lawmaker.
He was busy in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada when the regime collapsed.
Shakib, who resides in the USA with his family, was allowed to take part in the Pakistan and India tours by the BCB.
Before the second Test against India on September 26, he expressed his wish to retire from the longer version at home.
But the board and the sports ministry, Asif, reacted with tough words.
After that, Shakib clarified his position through a post on his official Facebook page and expressed regret for remaining silent during the anti-discrimination student movement.
Later, the adviser for the ministry of youth and sports assured that there would be no barriers for Shakib to come and exit the country.
Everything seemed to be going well for the all-rounder, but the last-minute uncertainty has now spoilt his much-anticipated farewell Test.
Shakib has appeared in 71 Test matches for Bangladesh, scoring 4,609 runs and taking 246 wickets.