"Love me or hate me, but don't play with me"

Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Shakib Al Hasan had been included in Bangladesh's squad for the first Test against South Africa, and the greatest cricketer in the country's history was on his way to play his farewell Test.

However, while in transit in Dubai, the government advised Shakib not to return home due to security concerns. It's now almost certain that Shakib won't be playing in Mirpur. Amidst all of this, the experienced cricketer shared a message in a video that has sparked considerable buzz.

Shakib was scheduled to catch his flight to Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon. But on the same day, a protest took place at Mirpur Stadium, where demonstrators opposed Shakib playing in the match. A group of protesters calling themselves "Mirpur's Student Community" submitted a petition to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), demanding that Shakib be dropped from the squad. They also threatened further actions like blockades and strikes if their demands were not met.

Given these circumstances, it's understandable that Shakib wouldn't be in a good mental state. He's unable to return to his home country and is missing out on playing his farewell Test. In the midst of this turmoil, Shakib's video message has left many surprised. His team, Bangla Tigers, posted a video on their official Facebook page in which Shakib sends a strong message: love him or hate him, it doesn't matter, but people shouldn't play games with him.

The video features only Shakib, who says, "My life, my rules, my style, my attitude. Love me or hate me, I don't care. But don't play with me." It's unclear if this video, posted two hours ago, is part of any promotion by the Bangla Tigers franchise, as the team has not clarified it. The post's caption repeats Shakib's words.

Shakib had been assured of the highest level of security to play his farewell Test on home soil. However, due to ongoing protests, the government has advised Shakib not to return for the sake of his safety. The Youth and Sports Adviser stated, "To avoid any untoward incidents during the South Africa and Bangladesh series, we have recommended that BCB discourage Shakib from returning for now. This decision was taken to ensure player safety and preserve the country's image in the international sports arena."

During the India tour, Shakib announced his retirement from Test cricket. Although he made the announcement abroad, the experienced all-rounder had expressed a desire to bid farewell on home soil. However, he had requested assurances of security to play on home ground, as well as guarantees of a safe departure. Shakib was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Magura-1 constituency in January, representing the Awami League. In August, his name was listed as the 28th accused in the murder case of garment worker Rubel, who was killed during a student protest. Shakib has faced long-standing criticism for his silence during the student movement.