DHAKA, Sept 26, 2024 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed today said that his board doesn't have any authority to ensure Shakib Al Hasan's safe exit after he returns to the country.

The ace allrounder has expressed his desire to retire from the Test cricket after playing the home series against South Africa next month.

Shakib, a former lawmaker from past Awami League-led government, who was charged with a murder case following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the second Test against India in Kanpur, beginning tomorrow would be his last match unless he gets any clearance from BCB about his security.

"Actually, I am not a member of any law enforcement agency and so, this is not in my hand," Faruque Ahmed said following a Board of Directors' meeting at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur today.

"Being able to play his final Test at home is a nice thing to achieve for a player. Since he has safety issues, he was concerned about it. But the thing is that the issue is not in our hands as these need to come from the highest authorities and the player himself", he added.

"The BCB does not have the authority to ensure security clearance to any individual."

Shakib also asked the board to consider himself retired from T20 cricket with immidiate effect but planned to continue ODI cricket till the 2025 Champions Trophy.

But, he said every thing will depend on whether he would get a safe exit once he enters into the country.

When asked, Faruque said:  "I don't think the board has such authority to ensure his safe exit."

 "Shakib is going through a difficult time in his life. So I don't want to say too much. He wants to retire from home ground and I respect his decision. But the security clearance should come from the government and another thing is fans' harassment, which he would have to deal with," Faruque remarked.

Few days ago, Shakib was fined Tk 50 lakh for fraudulent trading in the share market following the previous government's departure

Meanwhile, Faruque also spoke on other issues after the meeting and informed that the players' draft for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will be held on October 14 and was hopeful that the tournament would begin on December 27.

He also made it sure that 95 percent of the teams have been confirmed for the franchise-based tournament.