Bangladesh cricket’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will “never again” wear the national jersey, declared by the Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.
The unprecedented announcement came after a heated two-day online spat triggered by Shakib’s birthday wish to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking to a TV channel on Monday, Asif said, ‘‘I would issue a formal instruction to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to ensure the ban for Shakib.”
The dispute erupted Sunday night when the cricketer posted a birthday greeting to Hasina on Facebook with a photo captioned “Happy birthday, Apa.”
Later, alluding to past opposition to Shakib’s return, Asif responded on his own page, “Many cursed me for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right. End of discussion.”
After that, Shakib accused unnamed figures of blocking his return saying, “So finally someone admits that because of him I could not play for Bangladesh!”
He added, “Perhaps one day I will return to my motherland. I love Bangladesh.”
Asif wrote on his Facebook page, “Why should someone be rehabilitated just because he is a good cricketer? The law is equal for all.”
The adviser accused him for “deeply tied” to Awami League politics and referenced long-standing allegations of financial fraud and stock market irregularities.
Shakib was elected as an Awami League MP in 2024, has consistently argued that he was “forced” into politics and the greetings to Hasina was purely personal.
Since Hasina’s fall on 5 August last year, Shakib has remained abroad, facing cases ranging from financial crimes to political violence. A farewell Test planned in October collapsed after he was denied entry into Dhaka.
