The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has gestured that it remains open to the option of Shakib Al Hasan recurring to the national team, according to board director Iftekhar Rahman.
The previous Bangladesh captain freshly made his comeback to modest cricket after nearly six months, containing in three matches for Lahore Qalandars during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 last week.
Two months previous, his bowling action was empty by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which had stated his action in December last year after he seemed for Surrey. This permission allowed him to bowl again at the top level of cricket.
Since October last year, though, the BCB had dissociated itself from Shakib. His last arrival for Bangladesh was in the second Test against India in Kanpur.
Before that match, the all-rounder had proclaimed his meaning to conclude his Test career on home soil against South Africa in October and professed that he was done playing T20 Internationals.
Shakib was banned from making that final home Test arrival due to extensive student complaints. This political discontent followed the Awami League’s departure from power on August 5 after 15 years in government Shakib himself is a Member of Parliament representative the party.
Since then, he has not repaid to Bangladesh, and the BCB has sustained to reject him from national squads, including leaving him out of the Champions Trophy roster.
During this period, the ECB had professed his bowling action unlawful across all formats.
“Shakib will always be in the thought of the selectors and the team management,” Iftekhar said on Monday.
“He is an asset for any team. He is a world-class cricketer. He has just repaid after modifying his bowling action so our team management will keep track of him. It is certainly not [the end of our association with Shakib]. He has only played a few matches after his postponement. Let him play a few more matches, I think then we can answer the question [of his return],” he further.
Since the permission of his bowling act nearly two months ago, the 38-year-old has played three matches for Lahore Qalandars in their positive PSL campaign.
Though, his form has been unpredictable, registering two ducks and taking just one wicket.
Iftekhar’s explanations come amid growing anxieties over Bangladesh’s recent weakening in form. The team lost a 2-1 T20I series to the UAE in Sharjah and is making for another three-match T20I series in Pakistan.
The leavings of experienced players such as Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah, both superannuated from all formats, alongside Mushfiqur Rahim’s limited obtainability (only for Tests), have left a annulled in the team.
Shakib’s status remains inexact, as he has not formally retired from ODIs a format in which Bangladesh has lately slid to 10th place in the ICC rankings.
“It is a comparatively new team without the four senior players (Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah),” he said.
“There’s an annulled in the team. I think we have the aptitude among the current crop of players but they lack application. I have said it before, but the more they play, the healthier they will get. I think the position that we are in right now, the only way to go is up,” he decided.
