Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan possesses a trait that often lands him in trouble. But unlike others who might react differently in the face of jeopardy, he always stays true to himself and prefers to call a spade a spade.
Whether it be his political ideology or cricketing philosophy, there is hardly any occasion when someone will find him telling anything that is not coming from his heart.
On instances, he also chooses to remain silent on burning issues that come out in different forms of media, rather than clear his name.
Since Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the just concluded National Election on 12 February, Shakib was trending again on social media, owing to an old news where BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that his party does not support mixing politics with sports, particularly regarding the future of star all-rounder Shakib.
Speaking to Daily Sun on 20 July, 2025, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Fakhrul said, “We do not have any problem with Shakib if he is fit to play. I do not want to mix sports with politics, and I do not believe in it either. Whoever is capable should be in the team.”
Shakib, a former national captain and lawmaker under the now-ousted Awami League government, has been abroad since the July movement that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
He remains active in franchise-based leagues globally but has not formally retired from international cricket.
Fakhrul also elucidated that suggestions of Shakib not being able to return to the national side provided BNP came to power were simply not true.
“Whether he returns depends on his form, and whether he is still actively playing. If someone is politically barred or involved in a criminal case, that is a different issue. But in sports, there is no reason to prevent anyone from playing based on politics,” he added.
BNP’s statement regarding Shakib, coupled by Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) announcement that they are exploring the possibility of his return for the home series against Pakistan in March, has yet again brought Shakib back in focus and at the centre of a tug-of-war between a long-cherished farewell and the political and legal realities of a country in transition.
While BCB is eyeing to bring him back for the home series against Pakistan, Tigers’ national team batting coach Mohammad Ashraful reckons that the all-rounder should think of representing Bangladesh team in the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Unsurprisingly, Shakib remained silent for most parts of the discussion and gave the impression that he is not ready to look too far ahead.
When contacted by Daily Sun about his plans regarding featuring in the 2027 50-over World Cup, Shakib was reluctant to offer specifics, but also did not rule out the possibility.
When queried whether he feels that a couple of 50-over games or a Test match will help him regain his batting form and give him a better understanding of where he is at leading upto the 2027 ODI World Cup, Shakib remained grounded and did not want to provide any over the top statement.
“You are thinking too far ahead,” Shakib told Daily Sun, before adding that he is not ruling out the possibility of playing the 2027 Cricket World Cup. The 38-year old also admitted that he is keenly looking forward to see what the future has in store for him.
“Brother, let me see what happens in the coming days,” he said without elaborating further, suggesting he is ready to go with the flow, another characteristic that he has in himself.
When exactly was the last time Shakib played a One Day International for Bangladesh?
To find the answer, one has to go back to November, 2023, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, when Bangladesh faced Sri Lanka in Delhi.
It was the match that entered cricketing folklore — Shakib’s controversial “timed-out” dismissal of Angelo Mathews before a composed batting effort that guided Bangladesh to a crucial victory.
That win eventually proved decisive, helping Bangladesh secure qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Nearly three years later, as conversations once again begin to stir around Bangladesh’s preparations for another ODI World Cup, Shakib is preparing for a return that could reshape those plans.
After staying away from the country for an extended period due to political circumstances, the maverick all-rounder is now set to come back with a clear target: to resume international cricket in the upcoming home series against Pakistan in March, while keeping one eye firmly on the 2027 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Sources close to the developments say Shakib is expected to return to Bangladesh later this month to begin preparations for what could be a carefully planned international comeback.
“He will come and play the Pakistan series. And he will also be eyeing the ODI World Cup next year. That was always his original plan — to come back, retire from Tests and T20Is, and then finish his international career in ODIs after the 2027 World Cup,” a source close to Shakib told Daily Sun.
In recent years, Shakib has largely remained active on the global franchise circuit, playing T20 and T10 cricket in leagues across the world.
While those formats have kept him match-fit, they did not provide the kind of long innings time that international cricket demands — especially in ODIs.
“He has been playing only the shorter formats. He feels his bowling is in good shape, but he also knows he needs to bat for longer periods. One-day or Test cricket helps you rediscover that rhythm, especially with the bat,” the source noted.
Another important factor behind Shakib’s confidence about a comeback is his health — particularly an eye issue that troubled him during and after the 2023 World Cup.
“He feels much better now. The eye problem that bothered him for quite some time has improved. He is more comfortable seeing the ball again, which is a big thing for a batter at this level,” the source added.
