BCB Submits Shakib Al Hasan’s Legal Papers; Return For Pakistan Series on Cards

The BCB submitted Shakib Al Hasan’s legal documents to the government, raising hopes of his return to international cricket.

Shakib Al Hasan’s potential homecoming gathered pace after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) submitted documents related to the all-rounder’s legal cases to the government on Tuesday (February 24). Shakib, a former Awami League Member of Parliament, has not returned to the country since the Sheikh Hasina government was ousted in August 2024.

In recent weeks, Aminul Haque, the newly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports, said the government would work to resolve legal matters involving Shakib and former captain Mashrafe Mortaza, opening the door for their return to cricket. Mortaza, also a lawmaker from the former Awami League government, has kept a low profile since his party lost power.

Aminul stated that both former captains were facing cases that needed to be resolved “at the state level” to allow them to resume their involvement in cricket. According to Cricbuzz, Shakib’s legal team prepared documents following Aminul’s remarks, prompting the BCB to act in support of his possible comeback for one final series. Meanwhile, Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes Shakib could even feature in the 2027 World Cup.

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“We have sent the papers of his (Shakib’s) cases to the government,” a top BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz on Tuesday without elaborating further.

The development came just hours after Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed his eagerness to reunite with Shakib in the national team. “Of course I would feel happy to play with him [Shakib] again. We have played together for many years. We also didn’t play together for the national side in the last few years. So if Shakib bhai plays [in the upcoming series against Pakistan] obviously I would feel elated,” Miraz told the media.

If India’s tour of Bangladesh in August is cancelled, the number of matches will drop to 20. Regardless of whether they play 20 or 23 ODIs, team management is keen to bring Shakib back, especially given their recent struggles in the format.

The urgency is backed by statistics. Since Shakib left the country, Bangladesh have played 25 ODIs and managed only seven wins, while losing 17 matches, with one game postponed.