Bangladesh Cricket Board Official Issues Statement On Shakib Al Hasan's Comeback

Shakib Al Hasan to return for Bangladesh soon [Source: AFP]

It has been two years since Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan has worn the national jersey. The star all-rounder’s return to cricket has been a topic of debate since early 2025, and the progress of the procedure is still underway.

Notably, in a recent development, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon shared a positive insight on the Shakib Al Hasan's return to the side, which was halted for long by the board itself due to political and other off-field issues.

Bangladesh Cricket Board gives green signal to Shakib

As per a recent report in The Daily Star, Habibul Bashar spilt the beans on Shakib Al Hasan’s status for national return. As per the official, Shakib has a green light to join the team in future but on certain conditions.

“The board has unanimously agreed that based on Shakib’s availability, fitness and accessibility, and his ability to be present at match venues, we will certainly consider him for future selection,” Bashar told reporters in Mirpur on Saturday.

Bashar, however, was concerned with whether the all-rounder is match-ready to feature in the national team or not, given the fact that he has been out of cricket for a long time.

“My main question was whether he is ready. He is currently in a place where cricket isn’t played regularly, so while fitness can be maintained, competitive match practice is limited,” Bashar added.

Fitness to be the main criteria behind veteran's selection

Notably, Shakib Al Hasan last played the ILT20 2025-26, which took place in December-January 2026. His form with the bat and the ball hasn’t been super impressive there. With the bat, he averaged 28.75 from 5 matches while taking only 3 wickets from the 8 matches he bowled.

Also Read- "Ruturaj Gaikwad Is Babar Azam Of India": Fans Rip Apart CSK Captain After Slow Knock

Shakib’s fall, primarily fixated around the geopolitical tensions after the collapse of the Awami League, has taken a toll on his form and as indicated by Bashar, after a proper fitness clearance and certain non-negotiable terms, the 39-year-old might return to cricket.

“If everything is in order, we want him for a long period,” Bashar concluded.

While the Bangladesh Cricket Board has assured Shakib’s return, his absence from the national setup has now made it difficult for the team to accommodate him in a place where youngsters have already filled in.

Why was Shakib Al Hasan absent from the national team?

Combined with professional suspensions, political exile, and security concerns, Shakib 's exit from the national setup has been a series of ill-fated consequences.

Following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, he faced a travel ban due to corruption investigations. Later, in Mirpur, his participation was also held back after a farewell Test match was planned for him against South Africa in that series.

Significantly, Bangladesh's sports advisor Asif Mahmud publicly reprimanded Shakib and stated that he won't be allowed to represent the country ever again. 

Shakib's dream for one last game

This, along with an illegal bowling action ruling during a county stint with Surrey, made his return to the national team really difficult.

Although he announced retirement from Test and T20 cricket in 2024, he revoked that decision later in December 2025, expressing his desire to play all formats before formally retiring from the game.

With no official response from the Bangladesh Cricket Board yet regarding Shakib Al Hasan's reinstatement into the cricket team, the veteran's last wish still hangs in the balance.

Also Read- Shakib al Hasan's Bangladesh return date confirmed; all-rounder to play again vs..