Bangladesh retain ex-lawmaker Shakib for Pakistan Tests

Dhaka: Bangladesh retained all rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Sunday in the squad for this month s Test series against Pakistan, despite the former ruling...

Dhaka: Bangladesh retained all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Sunday in the squad for this month's Test series against Pakistan, despite the former ruling party lawmaker facing backlash after the country's premier was toppled.

Shakib, 37, lost his status as a lawmaker after parliament was dissolved following the dramatic ouster of long-time ruler Sheikh Hasina after weeks of deadly mass protests.

"The emphasis was on picking our best players," chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said in a statement.

The all-rounder, who was elected as a lawmaker from Hasina's Awami League in a controversial general election on January 7, is currently in Canada to play in a Twenty20 competition.

Since Hasina fled to India on August 5, her party offices have been looted and torched, and many members of her Awami League have gone into hiding fearing violence.