Dhaka: All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to play his last Test match in front of the home crowd and has been included in Bangladesh's squad for the first match against South Africa starting on Monday. Ahead of the second and final Test against India in Kanpur, Shakib had expressed his desire to play his last Test at home against South Africa provided the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ensures his security. Shakib has been accused of involvement in the murder of a student but the veteran Bangladesh player was taking part in a T20 league in Canada at the time of the incident.

Shakib apologizes for his silence during the civil unrest.

The new BCB president Farooq Ahmed rejected Shakib's request, saying the board was not a security agency and could not guarantee him any security. Bangladesh interim government sports adviser Asif Mahmood said Shakib would be given security only after his political stance became clear. Shakib had unconditionally apologized for his silence during the civil unrest in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Tribute paid to students who sacrificed their lives.

Shakib wrote on his official Facebook page, 'First of all I would like to pay tribute to all the students who sacrificed, led the anti-discrimination movement,, and were martyred or injured during the people's uprising. No sacrifice can compensate for the loss of a loved one, nothing can fill the loss of losing a child or a brother, to those of you who have been hurt by my silence during this time, I respect your feelings and sincerely apologize.'

I want to play my last match in front of you.

He also gave a message to the Bangladesh fans. He wrote, 'You all know that I will soon play my last match. I want to say goodbye to all of you. At the moment of farewell, I want to shake hands with those whose applause inspired me to play better. After the two-Test series against South Africa, the Bangladesh team will leave for the United Arab Emirates to play a three-match series against Afghanistan.

Shakib is also a part of the ODI team and the team's departure will also ensure his departure from the country. Only Khalid Ahmed has been dropped from the team that recently toured India.

Bangladesh squad for the first Test is as follows:

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das (wicketkeeper), Zaker Ali, Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.