From Kohli, with love: Virat gifts Shakib his bat after potential Test retirement of Bangladesh all-rounder

Shakib currently resides in the United States of America and is supposed to retire completely from international cricket after the Champions Trophy next year.

India’s Virat Kohli (R) greets Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan at the end of the fifth and final day of the second Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Cricket Stadium in Kanpur. | Photo Credit: AFP

Shakib Al Hasan did not get a guard of honour from the Bangladesh team as he walked out of the field, after the second Test against India at Green Park on Tuesday.

But soon after the match ended, a certain player from the opponent’s camp named Virat Kohli walked up to the all-rounder, gifting him his bat.

For Shakib, it was his last overseas Test outing. And, having already made it clear that he would not play the home series against South Africa unless the interim government in Bangladesh could assure his smooth passage out of the country, there is no clarity over the road ahead.

Kohli and Shakib were seen exchanging pleasantries, with the all-rounder even doing a bit of shadow-driving with the willow.

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While Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe claimed that as of now, Shakib is set to play the first Test against South Africa, the touring Bangladesh media contingent gave him a farewell, anticipating that the superstar has played his last red-ball fixture.

Once the official presentation ceremony ended, members of the Bangladesh media presented Shakib with a bouquet and a plaque.

“He was in a jovial mood, and happily obliged to our photograph requests. While it was an emotional moment for him, he remained mum on his next move,” one of the members of the media contingent, who organised the event, said.

Shakib Al Hasan with the members of the Bangladesh media after the felicitation programme in Kanpur on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Earlier, there were speculations that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association could honour Shakib. However, UPCA strongman and the BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla clarified that nothing could be planned.

“There was no official information from the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board). Even I checked with Tamim Iqbal, who is here as a commentator, and he also told me that Shakib could play his last game at home. Since nothing came to us formally, we could not arrange anything,” Shukla said.

Though Hathurusinghe claimed that Shakib’s decision to retire came as a surprise to him, Mehidy Hasan Miraz told the media that the all-rounder had told them about his plan, long ago.

Currently, Shakib is facing a murder charge back home levelled against him during the civil unrest that led to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. In January, Shakib became a Member of Parliament from the Awami League.

Soon after Shakib’s announcement last week, the BCB said it did not have the powers to guarantee his safety, while the interim government indicated that though he will be provided with proper security as a player, it cannot guarantee his security from public anger because of his political identity.