On Sunday, Shakib Al Hasan shared a smiling photo on his Facebook profile, where he was seen standing beside Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the post was made to extend birthday wishes to Hasina on her special day.
Asif Mahmud responded with a status that, though without mentioning a name, clearly hinted at Shakib. He wrote: “For not rehabilitating one person, you all hurled thousands of insults at me. But I was right. End of the discussion.”
Shakib, in turn, did not remain silent. Shortly after, he wrote another post: “At last someone admitted that it was because of him I was denied the chance to wear the Bangladesh jersey again, to play for my country. Perhaps one day I will return to my homeland—I love Bangladesh.”
Later, speaking to Channel 24, Asif Mahmud declared that they are taking an even stricter stance against Shakib. He stated that his directive to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will be to ensure Shakib never plays for the national team again.
“Allowing him to carry Bangladesh’s flag or wear its jersey, this is something I cannot permit under any circumstances. Previously, I may not have told the board this directly, but now my clear instruction is that Shakib Al Hasan must never play for Bangladesh again,” said Mahmud.
Since the July 2024 movement, Shakib has been unable to return to the country, and his wish to play a farewell Test on home soil also remained unfulfilled.
Despite his eagerness to come back, protests in front of the Mirpur Stadium prevented Shakib and others from returning.
