Picture Credit: X
After the conclusion of the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, Bangladesh will lock horns with Afghanistan in a T20I series, set to be played from October 2 to October 5 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. While the side will be led by Jaker Ali Anik will be leading the side in absence of Litton Das, who misses out due to an injury.
Amidst this, veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan continues to be on the sidelines from the national setup despite despite being active only in the 50-over format. While he remains out, recent statement from the Bangladesh Sports Advisor has left the cricketing world in utter shock.
Shakib Al Hasan will never wear the national jersey, confirms Sports Advisor Asif Muhamad
Lately, the Sports Advisor of Bangladesh confirmed a big update on the veteran all-rounder, stating that he will never appear for Bangladesh. “All of you have abused me a lot for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right. End of discussion,” BCB Sports Advisor Asif Muhamad wrote on Facebook. His statement came after Shakib’s recent birthday greetings for deposed PM Sheikh Hasina.
Later on while speaking to Dhaka-based Channel 24, the Bangladesh Sports Advisor confirmed that Shakib Al Hasan will never wear the national jersey, claiming that the player was “intricately involved with Awami League’s politics.” "We cannot let him carry the Bangladesh flag. It won't be possible for me to allow him to wear the Bangladesh jersey. Maybe I haven't told the BCB before, but now my clear direction for the BCB would be that Shakib Al Hasan can never again play for Bangladesh,” Asif Muhamad added.
He further added, "The number of times he has asked to enter the country, to play for Bangladesh, he had said that the Awami League had given him the [2024 general election] nomination forcibly. He claimed that he was not involved in politics. He wanted to become an MP to work for the people of his area [Magura]. The truth, however, is that he is intricately involved in Awami League's politics."
However, the veteran cricketer too had a quick response on the same as he said, “So someone has finally accepted that it’s because of him that I can never put on the Bangladesh jersey again, because of whom I can’t play for Bangladesh again. Maybe I will return to my motherland one day. Love you, Bangladesh.”
