Bangladesh cricket authorities have reopened the option for Shakib Al Hasan’s return, despite his earlier retirement from international cricket and recent political controversy.
Shakib, who also served as a lawmaker for the former ruling party, faced strong public anger after the 2024 uprising that removed Sheikh Hasina from power. He was later named among several figures linked to investigations over a deadly police crackdown on protesters.
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The experienced all-rounder announced his retirement in 2024 but revealed last month that he wanted to reverse his decision and play again for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Cricket Board senior official Amzad Hossain confirmed the board’s position, saying selection is possible if conditions allow.
“The board has taken a unanimous decision that if Shakib Al Hasan’s availability, fitness and accessibility allow it — and if he can be present at the venue where matches are played — then the board and the selection panel will consider him for the national team,” Hossain told reporters late Saturday.
He also said the board would support Shakib’s participation in foreign leagues.
“If he wants to participate in other global tournaments, the board will provide him NOC as required,” Amzad added.
Shakib had earlier apologised for staying silent during the student-led uprising but defended his decision to serve the government that was eventually toppled.
Bangladesh cricket is currently under pressure after being removed from next month’s T20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after a dispute over match venues.
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The BCB had refused to send players to India, requesting matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. Tensions increased after India’s board asked an IPL team to release Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
“This is a government decision taken on security grounds,” Amzad said. “Because of that, there was nothing more we could do.”
Shakib has not returned to Bangladesh since the fall of the government and was last playing in a domestic T20 league in Canada.
He remains one of Bangladesh’s greatest players, featuring in 71 Tests, 247 one-day internationals and 129 Twenty20 matches, with 712 wickets across formats.
