Shakib Al Hasan had a sensational all-round outing in the opening match of the 2025 Global Super League, scoring a half-century and taking four wickets – all while Bangladesh suffered a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka on the other side of the world.
Shakib stars in Global Super League opener
The second edition of the Global Super League got underway today (July 10) in Guyana. The competition is South America's premier cricket tournament, which invites franchises from around the world to compete against each other. This season includes defending champions Rangpur Riders, as well as Australia's Hobart Hurricanes, New Zealand's Central Districts, the ILT20's Dubai Capitals, and home side Guyana Amazon Warriors.
In the opening game between Central Districts and Dubai Capitals, Shakib scored an innings-rescuing half-century. He finished unbeaten on 58* off 37 balls, having come in when the side were 58-3. His innings helped the Capitals post a score of 165-7.
Their defence of that total got off to a shaky start when Central District openers Will Young and Dane Cleaver raced to 30-0 off the first four overs. However, Shakib trapped Young lbw with his first ball into the attack, and struck again two balls later to remove Dean Foxcroft for a duck. He then sent down three dots to deliver a double-wicket maiden in the fifth over of the powerplay.
Having been taken out of the attack after that over, Shakib came back on to bowl the 11th, and took another wicket with his fourth delivery of that over, dismissing Josh Clarkson. That wicket left Central Districts 73-4, with their required run rate at over 10. Shakib finished off his spell with a wicket in his final over, bowling William Clark to seal figures of 4-13. Capitals went on to win the match by 22 runs.
Why is Shakib playing in the GSL and not for Bangladesh?
On the same day as the GSL tournament opener, Bangladesh played the first match of their T20I series against Sri Lanka. They lost by seven wickets, having been unable to defend the 154 runs they posted. Kusal Mendis hit 73 off 51 as Sri Lanka completed the chase with an over to spare.
Shakib hasn't played for Bangladesh since November last year. Political tensions in Bangladesh which led to the overthrow of the government last year, combined with his former role as an MP, mean that Shakib now resides in the USA. Although Shakib is not officially retired from international cricket, the 38 year old has not been picked in any format for Bangladesh for the last nine months.
Speaking in May, BCB director Iftekhar Rahman said: "Shakib will always be in the consideration of the selectors and the team management. He is an asset for any team. He is a world-class cricketer."
Shakib also underwent a period where his bowling action was under question earlier this year, after being reported following playing one match for Surrey in the County Championship at the end of the 2024 season. He was suspended from bowling in top flight domestic cricket and international cricket while his action underwent testing, but was subsequently cleared in March this year.
Despite the Global Super League taking place in Guyana, Shakib was not selected by BPL side Rangpur Riders, instead finding a place with Dubai Capitals. Speaking ahead of the competition, Rangpur team director Shanian Taneem said: "Shakib Al Hasan is still one of the most valuable players not only in Bangladesh but in any franchise league of the world. It is not that we did not want him in the squad, but we know the situation of the country at this moment. Shakib still can feature in the starting eleven of any franchise team. But keeping the current situation in mind, we were not able to take him in the squad."
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