DHAKA — Shakib Al Hasan’s international career appears to be over. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed today that the veteran all-rounder will not be considered for future selections, citing his political associations and the ongoing fallout from the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The decision marks a sharp, unceremonious end to the tenure of the country’s most decorated cricketer. Shakib had been a polarizing figure in recent months, caught in the crossfire of Bangladesh’s political upheaval. Following the mass protests that forced Hasina to flee the country in August, Shakib — who served as a lawmaker for her Awami League party — became a target of public ire.
BCB officials faced mounting pressure to drop him from the squad. Fans held protests outside stadiums, and legal complaints were filed against him in Dhaka, accusing him of complicity in the violence that claimed hundreds of lives during the student-led uprising.
“The board has taken a clear stance,” a senior BCB official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Given the current climate and the legal challenges he faces, bringing him back into the dressing room is not a risk we are willing to take.”
Shakib, 37, had previously hinted at a quiet retirement. He hoped to play his final Test series on home soil against South Africa in October, but security concerns and the threat of protests made that impossible. He remained in Dubai during the series, effectively signaling his departure from the longest format.
The board’s refusal to clear his return is a move to insulate the team from the toxic political environment that has gripped Bangladesh’s sports administration. For a player who once carried the weight of the national side’s expectations, the silence surrounding his exit is stark.
There is no formal farewell, no ceremonial final match, and no clear path back to the national colors. The board has essentially decided that the cost of Shakib’s political legacy now outweighs his contribution on the pitch.
For the BCB, the focus has shifted to a post-Shakib era. For Shakib, the transition from cricket’s biggest stage to the courtroom is now complete.
