Overview
- BCB officials said Shakib Al Hasan can be considered for national selection if he is fit and available, reversing earlier hardline statements.
- The announcement landed the same day Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland for the T20 World Cup, prompting questions about whether it was a distraction.
- Former captain Tamim Iqbal called the move an eyewash and urged any decision to be based on merit with explicit approval from the government.
- Ex-BCB figure Khaled Mahmud Sujon said discussing Shakib’s inclusion was not warranted at this time and noted the board cannot bypass government clearance.
- Shakib has been out of the national setup for over a year and has not returned to Bangladesh since 2024, with legal cases and political issues complicating a return.