Shakib Al Hasan was nowhere in the conversation. He suddenly resurfaced on Sunday evening, just as the entire cricket fraternity was struggling to come to terms with the fact that Bangladesh had officially been excluded from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Following an eight-hour board meeting, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Media Committee Chairman Amzad Hossain announced that the board wanted Shakib back in the national team. The statement immediately sparked fresh controversy, raising questions over whether the BCB was using Shakib as a diversion to shift public and media attention away from the crisis and criticism it faced after deciding not to send the Bangladesh team to India on security grounds.
Earlier that day, the International Cricket Council announced that Scotland would replace Bangladesh in Group C of the tournament, scheduled to begin on 7 February.
On Thursday, the ICC had rejected Bangladesh’s request to move its matches out of India, giving the BCB 24 hours to confirm whether the team would travel to India. However, the interim government remained firm in its decision not to send the team, while the BCB failed to convince the authorities about the consequences of missing the T20 World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference, Amzad Hossain said, “The matter has been discussed by the board, which unanimously agreed that Shakib Al Hasan will be considered for future selection, subject to his availability, fitness and ability to be present at the match venue.”
According to Amzad, Shakib could yet receive another opportunity to represent Bangladesh despite being out of the country for more than a year and a half and facing multiple legal cases linked to his tenure as a Member of Parliament for the now-ousted Awami League government from Magura-1.
When asked why Shakib was suddenly brought into the discussion, Amzad failed to provide a clear answer, repeatedly referring to the board’s collective decision. He was further questioned on whether Shakib was being used as an “eye-wash” to divert attention from the World Cup withdrawal.
Amzad responded that the issue emerged during discussions over the new central contract list, adding that Shakib had repeatedly expressed his desire over the past 18 months to play on home soil.
After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, Shakib, then a sitting lawmaker, was unable to return to Bangladesh. He had planned to retire from international cricket following a home Test against South Africa in October 2024 but was forced to turn back midway due to security concerns. Since then, his international future has remained uncertain, although the all-rounder has consistently reiterated his wish to retire at home.
Explaining the board’s position further, Amzad said the discussion arose from the central contract review, where player performance and availability were assessed. “From that discussion, Shakib’s name came up,” he said, adding that Shakib had expressed interest in playing both home and away series.
However, many within the cricket fraternity believe Shakib’s sudden reappearance is a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from the World Cup controversy.
Former BCB director and veteran Chattogram cricket organiser Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir told TIMES of Bangladesh, “This is clearly an eye-wash. The cases filed against Shakib still exist. If he returns, public backlash or even mob reactions are real possibilities.”
While no board official has spoken openly, one official present at the meeting admitted anonymously that including Shakib in the central contract discussion was partly aimed at easing backlash over the World Cup decision. “It may not be pure eye-wash, but it’s fair to call it damage control,” the official said.
BCB director and musician Asif Akbar said the board was prioritising Shakib the cricketer over Shakib the politician. “We are not considering him as a former MP. We are giving the player an opportunity,” he said, adding that any government objection would be a legal matter beyond the board’s responsibility.
Sirajuddin challenged that stance, saying, “If the board refuses to take responsibility, then this is hypocrisy. How can a player be considered when he could be arrested or face mob violence at home?”
“This isn’t just an eye-wash, it’s cheap eye-wash. After losing in cricket diplomacy, they are using Shakib as a trump card,” said a former Bangladesh cricketer, speaking on condition of anonymity. He described the decision not to send the team to India as “reckless”, taken without legal guarantees from the government.
Shakib last played international cricket in October 2024, featuring in a Test against India in Kanpur. Since then, the former captain has been living in the UK with his family while continuing to play in franchise leagues around the world.
