Bangladesh’s interim government has ruled out the possibility of Shakib Al Hasan representing the country in international cricket again, citing his political ties with the ousted Awami League administration.
Shakib, 38, exchanged sharp words on social media with Asif Mahmud, sports advisor to the interim Bangladesh government, after the all-rounder posted birthday wishes to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, the leader of Awami League since 1981 and who led Bangladesh for 15 years, was forced to step down in August 2024 following a student-led movement, and fled to India.
Shakib had been an Awami League member of parliament between January and August 2024. He has not returned to Bangladesh since July of last year, when protests against Hasina’s government intensified.
Speaking to local broadcaster Channel 24, Mahmud said Shakib would not be allowed to “carry the Bangladeshi flag” or “wear the national jersey” again. He added that the Bangladesh Cricket Board would be instructed not to consider him for selection in any format.
The BCB has kept its distance from Shakib since October 2024, when he last played international cricket. That appearance came in the second Test against India in Kanpur. He announced his decision to retire from Test cricket later in the year at home against South Africa; however, those retirement plans were derailed as Shakib did not return home due to political upheaval, missing the South Africa series where he had intended to play his farewell Test. He has already retired from T20I cricket,
Mahmud accused Shakib of being “deeply tied” to Awami League politics, rejecting Shakib’s claim that his parliamentary run was intended only to serve his constituency. The remarks followed a Facebook exchange after Shakib referred to Hasina as his “elder sister” while on her birthday.
In a subsequent post, Shakib wrote: “So someone has finally accepted that it’s because of him that I can never put on the Bangladesh jersey again… Maybe I will return to my motherland one day. Love you, Bangladesh.”
The cricketer told Channel 24 that his post had no political motive. “She has always been a serious cricket follower. From that perspective, I simply wished her.”
Shakib has played 71 Tests, scoring 4,609 runs and picking up 246 wickets. He also played 247 ODIs, scoring 7,570 runs and 317 wickets, along with making 2,551 T20I runs. He also grabbed 149 wickets in the format.
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