Shakib Al Hasan will not be returning to the country tonight, according to a source from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will not be returning home tonight for his farewell Test, according to a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) source following a virtual meeting of board directors today. A BCB director mentioned, "We can ensure safety inside the stadium premises, but security outside of it falls under the government’s responsibility." The director also confirmed that Shakib will not be arriving tonight.

Since the morning, uncertainty surrounded Shakib's return for his final Test. He had been named in Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa and was expected to land in Dhaka from Dubai tonight ahead of the match on October 21 in Mirpur. 

The 37-year-old was initially scheduled to board a Dhaka-bound flight from Dubai at 5:00 pm Bangladesh Time and arrive by 11:00 pm. However, sources close to Shakib revealed that he had been instructed to await further communication before boarding. 

Amid growing uncertainty, it was later reported that Shakib canceled his flight and would instead return to the USA. Although higher authorities reportedly asked him to wait, the deputy press secretary to the chief adviser, Azad Majumder, clarified that it was entirely Shakib’s decision whether to return to Bangladesh or go back to the USA. "Shakib can return to Bangladesh anytime. It's up to him," Majumder told.

Sporadic protests were seen in Mirpur and other areas of the capital after reports surfaced about Shakib’s potential return for his Test farewell. 

Shakib had announced his retirement from Test cricket on September 26, a day before Bangladesh's second Test against India in Kanpur. During that press conference, he expressed his wish to end his Test career at home in Mirpur during the South Africa series. He played both Tests against India, where Bangladesh suffered a 2-0 defeat.

Shakib, a former Awami League member of parliament, has faced accusations related to a murder case and voiced concerns over his safety in Bangladesh, hoping for a safe exit after his farewell Test.