Questions now loom over Shakib’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. While uncertainty clouds his national team future, Shakib remains active in franchise cricket, having recently played in both the Abu Dhabi T10 and Lanka T10 leagues.

Khaled Mahmud Sujon, a prominent coach in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket and the current head coach of Dhaka Capitals in the upcoming BPL, views Shakib’s absence from national cricket as a collective failure. Speaking to the media after his team’s practice session on Thursday, Sujon reflected on Shakib’s illustrious career and his recent political endeavors.

“Shakib is our number one player. His absence is a loss for us. It’s true that he won’t play cricket forever, but the fact that he can’t represent Bangladesh is, in my opinion, a failure on our part. While he has ventured into politics at the tail end of his career, the nation knows him as a cricketer—a world-class one. His rise to fame is rooted in cricket,” Sujon remarked.

Sujon emphasized that Shakib’s 15-year cricketing career should not be overshadowed by his eight months in politics. Describing Shakib as the poster boy of Bangladesh cricket, Sujon expressed disappointment over his absence in the BPL, noting that many players will feel the void left by the all-rounder.

“Comparing his eight months in politics to his long cricketing career is unfair. He’s the country’s greatest player, and it’s disheartening that he can’t participate in the BPL. Many players may feel disappointed, though they might not express it publicly. Shakib has always supported and helped everyone. It’s truly a loss,” Sujon added.