BCB rejects the idea of keeping Shakib in the ODI squad

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has retired from Test and T20 cricket. He had hoped to play his final Test match at home, but this was not possible due to security concerns, as the government reportedly failed to provide the necessary protection. As a result, the Test match against India in Kanpur in September will mark the conclusion of his Test career.

Shakib has not yet retired from ODI cricket and intends to continue playing in this format until the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. However, this goal now seems increasingly unlikely.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to announce the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, and Shakib's name will be absent from it. This will be Bangladesh's only ODI series before the Champions Trophy. A source within the BCB confirmed that the selectors have already submitted the squad, and Shakib is not included, following instructions from the board.

Reports suggest that Shakib set certain conditions for his participation in the West Indies series, but the BCB did not respond favorably, further reducing his chances of being included in the squad. Shakib is currently playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 League for the Bangla Tigers.

Since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, Shakib has been involved in a murder case and fined Tk 5 million for alleged involvement in share manipulation. Additionally, the bank accounts of both Shakib and his wife have been frozen. In light of this, Shakib requested the government, through the BCB, to lift the restrictions on his accounts and allow him free movement in and out of the country.

A BCB source, speaking to Prothom Alo, said they are unaware of any conditions set by Shakib. Meanwhile, another anonymous BCB official suggested that Shakib is not in the right mental state to play international cricket, citing the various challenges he is facing.

“Playing in the T10 League is different from representing the national team in international matches. We believe it would be better for Shakib to sit out the West Indies series. The selection panel has been informed of the board's stance,” the official added.

The selection panel, led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain, did not consider Shakib for the squad due to the board's position. While selection decisions should remain independent, sources indicated that the current situation is "sensitive" and requires intervention from the "policy-making level."

The squad for the West Indies series has been finalized but has yet to be officially announced.