Shakib’s name has been absent from Bangladesh cricket for the past year and a half. Although discussions about his return to the national team have surfaced at different times, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) repeatedly shifted responsibility to the government regarding the matter.
However, efforts are now underway to facilitate the all-rounder’s comeback. If everything proceeds smoothly, Shakib could return to the national side during the upcoming Pakistan series.
There is also growing speculation about how long he could continue playing if he makes a comeback.
“I have said before that at his age, 37 or 38, if Shakib focuses on one format, he can easily serve Bangladesh until the 2027 World Cup. I think that would be very beneficial for us,” Ashraful said today.
Before any return, however, Shakib must navigate significant hurdles. Following the political unrest in July 2024, multiple cases were filed against him, and arrest warrants were reportedly issued.
Although he featured in a Test series against India later that year, he has not represented Bangladesh on home soil since. From October of that year, he has remained out of the national setup.
Shakib’s return largely depends on the resolution of his legal complications and the government’s decision.
In the meantime, Bangladesh have also seen several senior players step away from limited-overs cricket. The absence of experienced middle-order batters such as Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad has left a noticeable void in the squad.
Acknowledging the impact, Ashraful said, “In this format, we had three big players in the middle order, Mushfiq, Mahmudullah and Shakib. After they moved on, those who are playing are performing well individually, but we are not getting the results.”
