Clash broke out between anti and pro-Shakib supporters

A clash has broken out between pro-Shakib Al Hasan and anti-Shakib Al Hasan groups outside the Shere Bangla National Stadium a day before first Test between hosts Bangladesh and South Africa.

The legendary all-rounder fans chanted slogans in favour of the cricketer, demanding Shakib be reinstated in the Test squad.

The protest took place at the time when South Africa were training inside the stadium.

There were no injuries reported, but the Dhaka-based Prothom Alo said that security forces had detained one person.

Until this clash, the two sets of protesters – those who want Shakib to get a chance to play a farewell Test series and those who are politically opposed to Shakib.

Initially, he was picked in Bangladesh squad for the first Test, however, a group called Mirpur Chhatra Janata (a student body) sent the BCB a letter demanding his removal from the squad.

The BCB withdrew him from the team the following day, with sports adviser Asif Bhuiyan confirming that he had told Shakib not to travel to Bangladesh because of security concerns.

His fans – carrying posters – gathered outside the stadium on Friday, demanding his reinstatement in the squad. They gathered again for protest on Sunday.

Shakib lives primarily in New York City and he hasn’t been in Bangladesh since May this year.