Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s most celebrated all-rounder, has hinted strongly that he still hopes to return to international cricket despite a year-long absence marked by political turmoil, public controversies, and legal entanglements. In an exclusive appearance on the Beard before Wicket podcast, hosted by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, Shakib spoke for the first time in a year about his playing future, revealing his clear ambition to wear the national colours one last time across all three formats.
Shakib last played for Bangladesh on 1 October 2024. Since then, he has remained absent from national duties, not due to cricketing reasons alone but primarily because of political upheaval. The events of 5 August 2024, which led to his removal from parliament and triggered multiple cases against him, have effectively barred him from returning to the country.
Exclusive insights: Shakib’s farewell plan
Sources close to the player told Times of Bangladesh that Shakib revealed on the podcast his wish to return to Bangladesh colours in all three formats, playing one final series in each before bringing his international career to a close.
Shakib’s plan is straightforward: he intends to play one full series in each format, officially announce his retirement after completing each series, and give fans a final opportunity to watch him represent Bangladesh one last time.
When asked about timing, Shakib offered only, “Very soon,” stopping short of providing a date but igniting speculation about a potential comeback amid Bangladesh cricket’s ongoing transition.
Shakib’s desire for a proper farewell is not new. Last October, he expressed his wish to retire on home soil. Political unrest and legal challenges derailed these plans, leaving his dream of a symbolic bow at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium unfulfilled.
The reality of returning: controversies and legal hurdles
Shakib’s absence is as much about politics and law as cricket. Following the upheaval of 5 August 2024, Shakib faced multiple serious allegations, including involvement in a murder case linked to the student–public uprising, share market irregularities, and investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). In addition, he has an active arrest warrant. These legal challenges have made it nearly impossible for him to return safely to Bangladesh.
His conflict with Asif Mahmud, the government’s sports adviser, further complicated matters. In September 2024, after Shakib wished former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a happy birthday, Mahmud publicly declared that Shakib would never again play for Bangladesh, citing alleged political affiliations. Shakib responded that his message was personal, not political, highlighting the tension between public perception and his intentions.
He has been found to have concealed income from bank FDRs, stock market investments, interest on deposits, and earnings from both domestic and international cricket leagues. Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit has identified over BDT 1.06 billion in undisclosed income, of which more than BDT 300 million is classified as tax evasion.
According to his tax filings, Shakib’s declared income was limited to his monthly salary as a contracted player with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), advertising revenue, and certain bank balances. Only his earnings from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the 2017–18 tax year were reported, despite participating in the IPL since 2008.
A detailed review shows that, aside from the IPL, Shakib has played in almost all major T20 leagues globally. Between 2011 and 2021, excluding 2013, he appeared in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He also participated in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the 2015–16, 2016–17, 2022–23, and 2025 seasons; the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2023; the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022; the Big Bash League (BBL) in 2013–14 and 2014–15; the Champions League T20 in 2011–12 and 2012–13; and Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2024. None of the income from these leagues was declared. Prize money from Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards was also not reported.
Investigators reviewing Shakib’s tax records have highlighted these discrepancies, though they indicate further investigation may be required. From the 2021–22 tax year, the balance in his FDRs reportedly began to decrease, raising suspicions that funds were withdrawn and transferred abroad.
Shakib is known to have a residence in New York, USA. In November 2023, when Bangladeshi players visited the United States for T20 World Cup preparations, he hosted them at his home, an event widely reported in the media. Photos and videos he shared on Instagram have prompted tax investigators to probe potential additional foreign assets.
Abdur Rokib, Commissioner of the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit, stated in October that the investigation into Shakib’s tax evasion remains ongoing. Several undisclosed assets have already been identified, and the authorities are taking steps to recover the revenue due.
The Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit began operations on 23 December 2024, with the aim of uncovering and collecting revenue from individuals concealing income. Its first case file was opened in Shakib’s name, making him the “number one” subject of investigation.
Sources report that for the 2018–19 tax year, Shakib declared BDT 278.5 million in income. However, investigators found BDT 65.7 million in FDRs and BDT 19.2 million in interest income had not been disclosed. His stock market investments were also omitted. In the 2021–22 tax year, Shakib declared BDT 65.7 million in stock market investments, again leaving certain assets unreported.
Records obtained from SBL Capital Management show that Shakib’s total investments amount to BDT 218.8 million. He also purchased a flat from Rankon valued at BDT 2.05 billion, transferred to his name in 2023, which was not declared in tax filings. Overall, between the 2018–19 and 2022–23 tax years, Shakib’s undisclosed bank accounts totalled BDT 1.06 billion.
Despite all controversies, the BCB has left the door open. Chairman Aminul Islam and director Iftekhar Rahman have repeatedly stated that Shakib is welcome back. However, the board’s capacity to reintegrate him is constrained by legal realities. While the BCB could select him based on merit, Shakib must first address his cases or secure state-sanctioned exemptions to participate without legal risk.
From a cricketing perspective, questions about his form and fitness also remain. The gap from national cricket, any inclusion would require careful evaluation of his current capabilities through franchise performances abroad. One could say that much of the current excitement about his potential return is influenced by social media trends rather than practical readiness.
The political context remains critical. Shakib, elected MP from Magura under the boat symbol in 2024, could see opportunities shift if Bangladesh’s political landscape changes. When asked whether Shakib could return under a BNP government, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said it would depend on his form and active involvement in cricket, noting that politics should not interfere with sports. While this offers a hypothetical pathway, it does not resolve the immediate legal or administrative hurdles.
Shakib Al Hasan is no longer simply a cricketer; he has become a figure whose actions, both on and off the field, generate nationwide debate. While he remains one of the greatest in Bangladesh cricket history, his legacy is intertwined with political disputes, financial investigations, and public controversies. His wish to return and retire with dignity at Mirpur represents more than a personal goal; it symbolises a broader struggle between sporting aspiration and political reality.
As the BCB navigates its stance, the legal system continues its scrutiny, and political scenarios evolve, the ultimate question persists: will Shakib Al Hasan ever get to play his final chapter in Bangladesh cricket?
