No comeback for Shakib, says Aminul Haque

Bangladesh’s government has signalled that former national cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan is unlikely to return to competitive cricket after he participated in a media event featuring ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, indicating that his appearance has fundamentally altered the authorities’ position towards the former lawmaker.

The comments came after Shakib joined the event by telephone from Sri Lanka during a virtual news conference held in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Hasina addressed journalists nearly two years after being removed from power following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests.

Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque said the government had previously adopted a relatively accommodating approach towards Shakib, who served as a member of parliament for Hasina’s former ruling Awami League.

However, the minister said Shakib’s participation in the programme had changed that position. “We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore,” the minister said in a statement.

“Someone who has taken the stage with the autocrat no longer has any opportunity to return.”
Shakib, who is currently in Sri Lanka, is among dozens of people facing murder investigations over the deadly police crackdown on protesters that led to the fall of Hasina’s government.

The 39-year-old is Bangladesh’s most successful cricketer and one of the country’s most prominent sporting figures. During his international career, he has played more than 400 matches for Bangladesh and represented the country in five ICC Cricket World Cups.

Rights organisations have long accused Hasina’s former administration of widespread human rights abuses, including the killing of political opponents, suppression of opposition parties, manipulation of the judicial process and holding non-competitive elections.

In November 2025, a Dhaka court convicted Hasina in absentia of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death. She remains in India.

Shakib announced in September 2024 that he intended to retire following Bangladesh’s second Test against India, although he later said he hoped to finish his international career after completing a full home Test series.