State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque has said Shakib Al Hasan no longer has any scope to return to Bangladesh through the normal process, citing the former all-rounder’s current political position.
“[Shakib] has completely taken a position as a politician. The person who is with the autocrat, I do not think there is any opportunity for him to come anymore,” Aminul told Bangla Tribune on Friday.
He made the remarks after Reuters published an interview with Shakib, in which the former Bangladesh cricketer said he had not received any cooperation from the current government regarding his return to the country.
Aminul, however, rejected the allegation of non-cooperation, saying the government had previously been willing to take a flexible approach to Shakib’s case if he wanted to return to Bangladesh to play cricket.
“We were flexible regarding Shakib Al Hasan. If he had come to the country to play, we would have been flexible with him and looked into everything. That was how we were viewing the matter. But in the current situation, that is no longer possible,” he said.
Regarding Shakib’s allegation of non-cooperation, Aminul said he had repeatedly stated that the matter would be handled with flexibility.
“There is nothing of non-cooperation here. I have repeatedly said that Shakib’s matter would be viewed flexibly. I myself spoke with the home minister so that the legal processes could proceed flexibly. Even after that, I did not see any non-cooperation,” he said.
“Besides, Shakib did not return to the country and enter into a legal battle,” the state minister added.
Aminul said the government had been considering Shakib’s return primarily from the perspective of his role as a cricketer.
“As a player, which is what we were considering, we were flexible. We were viewing it that way. Now there is no opportunity for flexibility anymore,” he said.
The state minister said Shakib would have to pursue a legal course if he decides to return to Bangladesh under the current circumstances.
“If he comes, then he will have to fight legally,” Aminul said.
