In a dramatic turnaround, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced it will consider veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for national team selection, marking a potential end to months of uncertainty over his Bangladesh career.
The decision was made late Saturday after an eight-hour meeting of the board of directors at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur.
BCB media committee chairman Amzad Hossain told reporters that Shakib will be eligible for future home and away series, provided he meets criteria related to availability, fitness and ability to be present at match venues.
“If Shakib Al Hasan’s availability, fitness and accessibility are met, the selection panel will certainly consider him for selection,” Amzad said at the press briefing.
The board also agreed to extend No Objection Certificates (NOC) to Shakib to allow him to play in global franchise leagues if he chooses.
This announcement comes on the same day that Bangladesh was formally excluded from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, adding to the drama surrounding Bangladesh cricket.
Legal and Political Barriers
According to BCB officials, Shakib himself has expressed a clear intention to return to international cricket, and discussed with board members his willingness to play both home and away series.
However, the board acknowledged that legal and personal issues lie beyond its jurisdiction, stating these matters must be addressed by the government and the courts. When asked whether Shakib’s political background — including his past role as a Member of Parliament for the Awami League — would be a barrier, the board responded ambiguously: government and legal clearance will be decisive.
Since the fall of the Awami League government during the widespread student and public uprising in mid-2024, Shakib has been unable to return to Bangladesh, with multiple legal cases, including a murder allegation, filed against him.
Shakib’s last international appearance came in September 2024 in Kanpur, India, and he had planned a farewell Test series at home against South Africa later that year, but was unable to travel to Bangladesh amid protests and security concerns.
Central Contract and Board Strategy
BCB officials clarified that Shakib’s name surfaced during routine discussions on central contracts, where player performance and availability are reviewed. They stressed that the decision was not linked to any external issue and was taken to give due respect to Shakib’s stature as one of the biggest brands in Bangladesh cricket.
BCB directors voted to include him among a 27-player pool under consideration for contracts this year — a signal that the board still values his experience.
Another BCB director emphasized that from the board’s perspective, Shakib’s presence is desired purely for sporting contribution, not political affiliation.
Conflicting Signals
The BCB’s stance stands in stark contrast to comments made in late 2025 by then Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, who publicly stated that Shakib would “never again” be allowed to represent Bangladesh or carry the national flag — a position that reportedly extended to formal instructions to the BCB.
Officials from the cricket board did not directly address these earlier remarks but reiterated that any final decision on Shakib’s return will require government cooperation, particularly on security and legal clearance.
What’s Next?
Shakib’s potential comeback hinges not just on fitness and form, but increasingly on negotiations between the BCB and government authorities over legal and security concerns. Fans and cricket officials alike are watching closely as the saga continues.