Shakib Al Hasan has urged decision-makers to prioritise the long-term interests of Bangladesh cricket in determining World Cup venues, while also expressing disappointment over how Mustafizur Rahman’s situation was handled by the IPL organisers.
Speaking in an interview with Bdcrictime, the former Bangladesh captain echoed Tamim Iqbal’s view that any decision regarding World Cup venues must be taken with cricketing welfare in mind, even if it proves unpopular. Shakib believes Bangladesh could benefit if matches are staged in Sri Lanka but stressed that diplomacy and future consequences must guide the process.
“It’s difficult for me to say exactly where Bangladesh stands,” Shakib said. “What matters is the communication between the BCB and the ICC. People say many things in the media, but often there is very little on paper. Until something actually happens, it’s hard to know what is really going on.”
Shakib added that players’ views should be considered, particularly for an event as significant as the World Cup. “Players suffer the most,” he said. “So, it would be good to discuss decisions with them, even though there will always be final decision-makers.”
On Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib was more direct. The left-arm seamer was unable to feature in the IPL despite being signed for a substantial fee, a situation Shakib described as frustrating.
“From a player’s perspective, it is obviously very disappointing,” Shakib said. “After such a big auction, not being able to play is sad.”
While acknowledging that domestic tournaments operate under their own rules, Shakib questioned whether the matter could have been handled better by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
“This is a domestic tournament, and the organisers have full authority,” he said. “There is nothing the player can do. Nothing the BCB can do. Even the ICC cannot interfere. But I still feel it could have been managed in a better way.”
Shakib explained that IPL franchises prioritise full-season availability, something that often complicates matters for international players. Drawing on his own experience with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023, he said mutual understanding led to his withdrawal before the tournament.
“Teams want players for the full season,” he said. “If someone is not fully available, it becomes very difficult to manage replacements. That’s why I stepped aside myself. It was done through understanding.”
Despite his criticism, Shakib reiterated that difficult decisions are sometimes unavoidable. “Sometimes decisions won’t be popular,” he said. “But I only hope that whatever is decided, Bangladesh cricket does not suffer.”
