Shakib's homecoming gathers pace as BCB submits legal papers to government
Shakib Al Hasan's homecoming gathered momentum as Bangladesh Cricket Board submitted documents relating to the all-rounder's legal cases to the government on Tuesday (February 24). Shakib, a former Awami League Member of Parliament, has not returned to the country since Sheikh Hasina government was ousted in August 2024.
Shakib, who has publicly expressed a desire to play one last bilateral series at home, last appeared in Bangladesh colours in a Test against India in Kanpur in late 2024.
At present, the 38-year-old has turned his focus on franchise leagues around the world as he has been absent from the national side for nearly a year and a half. The Yunus government imposed an unwritten ban on him for his affiliation with the Awami League.
During the Yunus-led regime, Shakib was implicated in several cases that include a murder case. Many believed the cases were lodged largely due to his association with the deposed government. Recently, the BCB insisted that they want Shakib back for the upcoming home series against Pakistan after discussing with him about his possible return back to his country.
In the recent past, Aminul Haque, the newly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports, said the new government would move to resolve legal cases against Shakib and ex-skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and open the door for their return to cricket. Mortaza, a lawmaker of the former Awami League government, was also embroiled in legal disputes. In fact, Mortaza opted to remain away from public eyes since the fall of his party from power.
Aminul said that both former captains faced cases that needed to be settled "at the state level" to allow them to resume their involvement in the sport. Cricbuzz understands Shakib's legal team prepared the papers of the said cases following Aminul's statement, pushing the BCB to take necessary steps that can pave his comeback for one final series. However, Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes Shakib can also go on to play in the 2027 World Cup.
"We have sent the papers of his (Shakib's) cases to the government," a top BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz on Tuesday without elaborating further.
The BCB officials confirmed the development hours after Bangladesh ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan told reporters that he was looking forward to teaming up with Shakib again. "Of course I would feel happy to play with him [Shakib] again. We have played together for many years. We also didn't play together for the national side in the last few years. So if Shakib bhai plays [in the upcoming series against Pakistan] obviously I would feel elated," Miraz told the media.
Bangladesh cricket team, after having already qualified for the 2028 ICC T20 World Cup despite not featuring in the ongoing edition, now focus on 50-over assignments with the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification still on the line. Hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe and the eight highest ranked Full Members in the ICC ODI rankings as of March 31, 2027 will make up the 10 direct entrants in the 14-team ODI World Cup while the remaining four spots will be decided through a qualifiers' event.
Bangladesh, who are currently placed 10th, must climb to ninth or higher before the deadline to claim a direct berth. They have 23 ODIs lined up till the cut-off time, starting with the home series against Pakistan in March. Bangladesh are also scheduled to host New Zealand, Australia and India while there are also ODI series away against Ireland, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
If India's tour of Bangladesh in August is scrapped, the number will go down to 20. Whether they have 20 to 23 matches ahead of the cutoff time, it is understood the team management would be keen to have the all-rounder back considering their recent form in ODIs.
The urgency of the team management as well as ODI skipper Mehidy is validated through statistics: Bangladesh have played 25 ODIs since Shakib left the country and have managed to win only seven out of them while losing 17 matches, with another game postponed.
