Shakib Al Hasan will not be allowed to represent Bangladesh again, after Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will receive formal instructions to prevent his return to the national team.
The move comes amid a heated exchange of social media posts between Shakib and Asif, sparked by the all-rounder’s birthday tribute to fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on 28 September.
On Sunday evening, Shakib posted a smiling photo of himself with Hasina, captioned: “Happy birthday, Apa.” The post quickly reignited political debate, with leaders of the July Revolution, including Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah and Sadik Kayem, criticising Shakib for publicly endorsing Hasina.
Hours later, Asif Mahmud took to Facebook with a cryptic post that, while not naming Shakib, left little doubt as to its target:
“For not rehabilitating one person, you all cursed me a thousand times. But I was right. End of the discussion.”
Shakib responded with his own status later that night:
“Well, finally someone admitted that because of him I could no longer put on the Bangladesh jersey, could not play for Bangladesh! Perhaps one day I will return to my motherland, I love Bangladesh.”
By Monday afternoon, Asif escalated the row with another post, directly highlighting conversations he claimed to have had with Shakib about politics. According to Asif, Shakib had insisted he was forced to accept an election nomination and was not truly involved in party politics.
Asif rejected those claims outright, arguing that Shakib remained deeply tied to the Awami League. Speaking to Channel 24, he made clear that talent alone could not shield Shakib from consequences:
“He cannot be allowed to carry the Bangladesh flag. To allow him to wear the Bangladesh jersey is something I can in no way make possible. My clear directive to the board will be that Shakib Al Hasan can never again play for Bangladesh.”
Asif also accused Shakib of “endorsing murderers” and linked him to alleged financial scandals, including share market manipulation and money laundering. “Law is equal for all, face it,” he wrote in a follow-up post.
Contacted by Channel 24 from abroad, Shakib defended his decision to wish Hasina, saying it came from a long-standing personal connection through cricket rather than politics.
“She always followed the game seriously, watched the matches. From that place there was a relationship, before politics. From that place I can wish a person. There was no other motive, no hint to anyone,” he explained.
Shakib, who has been unable to return to Bangladesh since the July 2024 movement, also reiterated his love for the country despite the ban. His long-held wish to play a final Test on home soil now looks permanently out of reach.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has meanwhile formed a new committee to investigate allegations of money laundering and illegal wealth accumulation against Shakib, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
