Shakib eligible to play for national team: BCB

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan remains eligible to play for the national cricket team and will be considered for selection in the next match, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Amzad Hussain said on Saturday.

He made the announcement at a press briefing following a BCB board meeting, saying the board had decided to consider Shakib for all future home and away matches, subject to his availability, fitness and form.

The board also decided to issue the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to allow Shakib to participate in international franchise leagues of his choice, Amzad added.

The meeting was the third under BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul. The board has already offered Shakib a central contract and increased the number of players under contract to 27.

Amzad said Shakib has expressed his wish to retire from cricket after playing a home match. He added that the BCB has been in contact with the cricketer in recent times in an effort to bring him back into the national side.

BCB President Aminul Islam will hold discussions with senior government officials regarding the legal and security issues that have prevented Shakib from returning to Bangladesh since the July–August 2024 uprising.

Decisions on those matters rest with the government and the courts, Amzad said, adding that the BCB views Shakib “purely as a cricketer” and wants him in the national team.

Shakib has not featured in national matches since the uprising that toppled the Awami League government, amid controversy over his links to the now-banned party. A former Awami League lawmaker, he was abroad during the July–August 2024 political unrest.

Since then, several corruption and murder cases have been filed against him, largely linked to his political role. The government has so far failed to ensure his safe return amid violent protests targeting the cricketer.