Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) newly appointed chairman of selectors Habibul Bashar said on Tuesday that he wants veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to return to the country and continue playing for at least two more years, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.Shakib, 39, had moved to the United States after the country’s Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina was removed following a student uprising in 2024. The interim government had barred Shakib from representing Bangladesh.With a new government now in place, Bashar indicated that the selectors are open to his return, though not immediately. He said there is not enough time to consider him for the upcoming home white-ball series against New Zealand, which begins on April 17.
“There is not much time left before the New Zealand series and I am not sure how much cricket Shakib has been involved with. From what I know about him, he is not a guy who will come tomorrow and play the day after.”“He needs preparation too. It’s not a place of emotion. Definitely if we are thinking about Shakib, we will think in the long-term,” Bashar was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.While Shakib has earlier expressed his wish to play his final Test at home, Bashar said the focus is on a longer plan rather than a short return.“I don’t think about Shakib coming for a single series and then leaving. If we can get service from him, we will want that he provides that for a long time. In that regard, preparation is very important.”“First things first, he is definitely in the plans. You see there are talks about him in regards to the New Zealand series which is why I want him to come prepared for a longer time. I think he still has two years,” Bashar said.“I want him for the longer term, at least to have that plan where he can play the 2027 World Cup. So my plans are not for one series,” he added.Bashar, who has been part of the national selection panel from 2011 to 2024, recently took over as chairman of selectors following the formation of a new government earlier this year.
