After months in exile from international cricket, Shakib Al Hasan may soon don the Bangladesh jersey again as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirms he remains in their plans.
Shakib Al Hasan last represented Bangladesh in October of the previous year. Since then, the national team has moved forward without him, including missing out on the Champions Trophy, sparking speculation that the veteran all-rounder’s international career might be over. However, BCB director Iftekhar Rahman has clarified that the door remains open for Shakib’s return to the national side.
“Shakib will always be considered by the selectors and team management,” Rahman said. “He is an asset to any team and a world-class cricketer. Now that he has returned with a corrected bowling action, our management will keep an eye on him. Our relationship with Shakib is far from over.”
Shakib recently returned to competitive cricket after a six-month hiatus, featuring for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). His absence was largely due to a suspension over an illegal bowling action, which was lifted after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cleared his remodeled action in January.
Previously, Shakib expressed his wish to play a farewell Test on home soil. However, political instability and his affiliation with the now-ousted ruling party, the Awami League, forced him to withdraw from the series. Since then, he has stayed away from the country, and the BCB excluded him from recent series, including the Champions Trophy squad.
Despite this, his recent return to action has reignited discussions, especially in light of Bangladesh’s poor performance in the UAE, where they lost a T20I series. The team is also set to play three T20Is in their upcoming tour of Pakistan.
In the PSL, Shakib played three matches, scoring zero runs in both innings he batted and taking just one wicket with the ball. Yet, his experience remains valuable.
Bangladesh cricket is in a transition phase following the retirements of Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah from all formats, and with Mushfiqur Rahim playing only Tests. Among the senior group, only Shakib has yet to officially retire from ODIs, although he has stepped away from T20Is.
Rahman noted the leadership vacuum, stating, “Without Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq, and Mahmudullah, the team is very new. There’s talent among the younger players, but they’re struggling to execute. As I’ve said before, they will improve with more matches. We have a chance to rebuild and move upward.”
With the board’s assurance and the team in need of seasoned guidance, Shakib’s return to the Bangladesh side appears more likely than ever.
LND/BG
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