Shakib Al Hasan last played for Bangladesh in 2024 and has not appeared in the red-and-green jersey since. Although he had previously considered retiring on home soil, a comeback did not materialise. Recently, however, discussions have intensified about Shakib rejoining the national team.
Bangladesh’s batting coach, Mohammad Ashraful, spoke about the potential return:
“Personally, I believe that at his age—37 or 38—if he focuses on one format, Shakib could comfortably serve Bangladesh through to the 2027 World Cup. Having a player of his experience, capable with both bat and ball, would be a major advantage. It would be excellent if we could bring him back.”
When asked about current gaps in the national team, Ashraful said:
“Looking at our Test side, it’s very strong, and the T20 team is also performing well. In ODIs, however, we have lagged behind, largely due to irregular fixtures. Players currently in the squad can fill the gaps if they take the BCL seriously. But what is crucial is match-winning performance. After the BCL, we will have a clearer picture of the areas that need strengthening.”
On Bangladesh’s goal of qualifying directly for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Ashraful added:
“We are performing well in two formats, but ODI, which used to be our strongest, has fallen behind for the last one to one-and-a-half years. With the departure of senior middle-order players Mushfiq, Riyad, and Shakib, those currently playing are performing, yet results are inconsistent. To qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup, we must finish in the top eight. Every series and every match is important. We are actively planning to achieve this.”
