The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally opened the door for veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to reintegrate into international cricket, unveiling a structured comeback roadmap as the board looks beyond the turmoil of the 2026 T20 World Cup fallout and towards the next major ICC cycle. This marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s cricket strategy and signals that the country’s most decorated player could yet finish his storied career wearing the national colours once more.
Shakib, 38, who has played 447 international matches across formats, has been absent from the Bangladesh team since political upheaval in his home country disrupted his cricketing journey. His decision to step away from international cricket in 2024 — amid protests and his tenure as a Member of Parliament under the former ruling party — left fans and teammates uncertain about his future. However, recent board deliberations have reframed the approach, with the BCB now indicating that availability, fitness and venue accessibility will be the key conditions for his selection moving forward.
The comeback plan emerged at a time when Bangladesh finds itself at a transitional juncture after being replaced in the T20 World Cup 2026, with selectors and administrators keen to stabilise the team’s core ahead of forthcoming bilateral series and the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. According to board officials, if Shakib meets the set criteria, he will be considered for national selection in both home and away series, effectively reintegrating a player whose experience and leadership have been missed in recent campaigns.
Senior BCB figures have been vocal that Shakib’s potential return is not merely symbolic; rather, it is part of a deliberate plan to blend experience with the younger core of the Bangladesh side. The board has already moved to retain Shakib on its central contract list, and has pledged to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) that will allow him to continue playing in overseas franchise leagues — a move designed to keep him match-fit and commercially active while awaiting national duty.
Despite the board’s positive language, there remain significant hurdles. Shakib has not been able to return to Bangladesh due to legal and security concerns tied to his political past, and any national selection would require careful coordination between the cricket board and government authorities to ensure his safe travel and participation. BCB directors have made clear, however, that once those issues are resolved and he is physically able, the selection panel will seriously consider him for representative cricket.
The planned roadmap suggests that Shakib’s first appearance could come as early as Bangladesh’s home series against Pakistan in March 2026, although nothing has been finalised ahead of formal announcements. Cricket operations sources have indicated that the board is aligning his return with key series to capitalise on his tactical acumen and high-pressure experience, which could be vital as Bangladesh rebuilds after competitive setbacks.
Former teammates and cricket commentators have also weighed in, with some, like Mohammad Ashraful, advising that if Shakib returns, he might extend his ambitions beyond a farewell series to target major tournaments such as the 2027 World Cup, providing even greater value to the national setup.
While reactions within Bangladesh’s cricket community are mixed — with some critics questioning the sincerity of the move — the BCB’s roadmap clearly seeks to position Shakib as a central figure in the Tigers’ next competitive cycle. Whether he ultimately takes the field again in a Bangladesh jersey depends on navigation of political, legal and logistical complexities, but the board’s current stance marks a decisive step towards realising that possibility.
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