It has been eight months since Shakib Al Hasan last appeared for the national team. Though he has retired from T20 cricket, he has still shown interest in playing Test and ODI formats.
Shakib Al Hasan is in trouble after contesting the last national election from Magura-1 constituency under the ruling Awami League’s “boat” symbol and becoming a Member of Parliament. Once hailed as the world’s best all-rounder, Shakib found himself embroiled in controversy after stepping off the cricket field and into the political arena.
Following the student protests sparked by the government’s decision on quota reforms, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 last year. Since then, many Awami League MPs, ministers, leaders, activists, and even well-wishers have found themselves in trouble. Shakib Al Hasan is also on that list. After the fall of the Awami League, Shakib has been named in a murder case. Fearing arrest, he has not returned to the country. As a result, he has been absent from the national team since August of last year.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that Shakib will play in the upcoming Asia Cup to be held in the UAE this September. More importantly, this edition of the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, from which Shakib has already retired, making his participation impossible.
Though fans won’t see Shakib’s batting or bowling on the field, they will still see him on TV screens—featured in promotional videos and advertisements where he is showcased as the tournament’s “biggest star.” As the brightest name in Bangladesh’s cricket history, broadcasters still hold deep emotional attachment to Shakib.
In a recent promotional video released by Sony Sports Network ahead of the Asia Cup, Shakib appears preparing to bat, alongside stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rashid Khan.
If all goes as planned, the Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. The participating teams will be India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman, Nepal, and the UAE.
Bangladesh will begin their campaign against Hong Kong on September 11. After a day’s break, the team led by Liton Das will face Sri Lanka on September 13. In the final group stage match, Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan on September 16.
