BCB takes a significant step to return of Shakib

Sports Reporter :

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a significant step to facilitate the return of Shakib Al Hasan to the national cricket team. BCB submitted documents related to the all-rounder’s legal cases to the government.

Bangladesh’s new sports minister Aminul Haque has confirmed that the legal proceeding against former players Mashrafe Mortza and Shakib al Hasan will be expedited under the new government.

The 38-year-old has expressed a desire to play one last bilateral series at home, last representing Bangladesh in a Test against India in Kanpur in late 2024.

Since then, he has focused on franchise leagues around the world, remaining absent from the national side for nearly a year and a half. During the tenure of the Yunus government, Shakib was implicated in several legal cases, including a murder case, which many believe were politically motivated due to his ties with the deposed government.

“The government will deal with the matter concerning Shakib and Mashrafe. We will remain tolerant and flexible on them,” Haque said. “The cases against them will be handled by the government. We want Shakib to return [to Bangladesh]. We hope those will be resolved swiftly so they can return. We also want Shakib and Mashrafe back in Bangladesh cricket.”

Shakib, having announced his retirement from international cricket, made a u-turn on the decision in a recent interview on Beard Before Wicket podcast in December last year.

The Bangladesh all-rounder, who hasn’t played for the country since October 2024, wants to play a full series at home before being retired. He’s currently based in the USA, playing franchise cricket including CPL and PSL. About Mortaza, who was serving his second term as Awami League MP, the whereabouts the little known.

Bangladesh are currently not playing T20 World Cup 2026 after the ICC refused to entertain their demand of shifting matches outside India.

Bangladesh had asked the matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka, co-host of tournament, or any other venue outside India, citing safter concerns for its players. ICC rejected the demand and replaced them with Scotland but did not levy any penalty after multiple rounds of talk.