Shakib Al Hasan batting whereas biting a strap, India vs Bangladesh, 1st Check, 4th day, Chennai, September 22, 2024. — AFP
DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket chiefs have reopened the door for ex-captain Shakib Al Hasan’s return, a star participant however who was additionally a lawmaker within the former ruling occasion overthrown in a 2024 rebellion.
Shakib’s hyperlinks to ousted chief Sheikh Hasina made him a goal of public anger, and he was amongst dozens dealing with homicide investigations for a lethal police crackdown on protesters.
The all-rounder introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket in 2024, however mentioned he want to reverse that call final month.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) senior official Amzad Hossain mentioned he might play once more.
“The board has taken a unanimous decision that if Shakib Al Hasan’s availability, fitness and accessibility allow it — and if he can be present at the venue where matches are played — then the board and the selection panel will consider him for the national team,” Hossain instructed reporters late Saturday.
He added that the BCB would challenge Shakib no-objection certificates (NOC) to play in abroad leagues.
“If he wants to participate in other global tournaments, the board will provide him NOC as required,” Amzad added.
Shakib had earlier apologised for remaining silent through the student-led rebellion however defended his choice to serve the regime it toppled.
Bangladesh cricket is reeling from being kicked out of subsequent month’s T20 World Cup, after the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday changed Bangladesh with Scotland.
The BCB had refused to ship its gamers to India and pleaded for video games to be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka.
The dispute between New Delhi and Dhaka erupted this month when the Indian cricket board ordered the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to launch Bangladesh quick bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
The ICC mentioned it had discovered no credible safety risk to Bangladesh in India, however the BCB mentioned the matter was past their management.
“This is a government decision taken on security grounds,” Amzad mentioned. “Because of that, there was nothing more we could do.”
Shakib was enjoying in a home Twenty20 cricket competitors in Canada when Hasina’s authorities collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.
The left-arm allrounder has performed 71 Assessments, 247 one-day internationals and 129 Twenty20s for Bangladesh, taking a mixed 712 wickets.
