Shakib Al Hasan’s prospects of pulling on a Bangladesh shirt again have all but vanished, according to government sports advisor Asif Mahmud. The pair’s very public disagreement began on Sunday when the all-rounder posted a brief birthday greeting to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Shakib’s message was straightforward, yet it drew an immediate response from Mahmud—though the cricketer was not mentioned by name. Mahmud wrote on social media: “All of you have abused me a lot for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right. End of the discussion.”
Shakib pushed back moments later: “So someone has finally accepted that it’s because of him that I can never put on the Bangladesh jersey again, because of whom I can’t play for Bangladesh again. Maybe I will return to my motherland one day. Love you, Bangladesh.”
The exchanges snowballed, prompting Mahmud to tell Dhaka-based Channel 24 that he intends to ask the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to shut the selection door on Shakib for good. “We cannot let him carry the Bangladesh flag,” Mahmud said. “It won’t be possible for me to allow him to wear the Bangladesh jersey. Maybe I haven’t told the BCB before, but now my clear direction for the BCB would be that Shakib Al Hasan can never again play for Bangladesh.”
Mahmud argued that Shakib is “intricately involved with Awami League’s politics”, claiming the cricketer repeatedly sought permission to re-enter the country and that he mis-represented his political ambitions. “The number of times he has asked to enter the country, to play for Bangladesh, he had said that the Awami League had given him the [2024 general election] nomination forcibly. He claimed that he was not involved in politics. He wanted to become an MP to work for the people of his area [Magura]. The truth, however, is that he is intricately involved in Awami League’s politics.”
Shakib, 38, insists the birthday wish stemmed from a long-standing acquaintance rather than political provocation. “[Hasina] was deeply involved with cricket. We had a relationship through that, even before politics. I wished her from that point of view. There was no other motive, or trying to instigate anyone,” he explained. Earlier, he had emphasised the same point on social media: “She [Hasina] has always followed cricket seriously – isn’t that right. She was deeply involved with cricket. We had a relationship through that, even before politics. I wished her from that point of view. There was no other motive, or trying to instigate anyone.”
A complicated backdrop
Shakib served briefly as an Awami League member of parliament—from January to August last year—before the government fell during student-led protests. Hasina left for India on 5 August, while Shakib, abroad at the time, has not returned. Internationally, he last featured in October 2024, playing Tests against Pakistan and India, but has since restricted his cricket to franchise leagues.
If Mahmud’s instructions are carried out, Bangladesh will lose the services of their most capped all-rounder without a formal retirement. Shakib is one wicket shy of 250 in Tests and remains the country’s leading run-scorer in one-day internationals.
What happens next?
The BCB has yet to comment publicly. Administrators are likely to find themselves balancing political pressure with cricketing necessity: Shakib’s experience and tactical nous are still valued by senior players. Equally, the board has previously kept distance from political disputes, preferring to focus on availability and form.
For now, Mahmud’s stance sounds final. Shakib, meanwhile, continues to play in overseas tournaments, earning a living yet expressing hope of a return. Whether that wish can outlast the current impasse remains to be seen.
