Shakib Will Never Be Allowed To Play For Bangladesh: Sports Adviser

It Appears The Shakib Al Hasan Era In Bangladesh Cricket Has Drawn To A Close. Although Shakib Has Yet To Announce His Retirement, Youth And Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan Has Declared That He Will No Longer Be Permitted To Represent Bangladesh In The Red-And-Green Jersey.

Speaking To Private Broadcaster Channel24 Over The Phone On Monday Night, Asif Made The Statement Following A Heated Exchange On Social Media.

He Said He Would Direct The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Not To Allow Shakib To Play For The National Team Again.

The Dispute Emerged After Shakib Posted A Photo With Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Wishing Her A Happy Birthday On Monday. This Sparked A Series Of Indirect But Sharp Facebook Posts, With Neither Side Mentioning The Other By Name. Asif Wrote That He Had Been Correct Not To “Rehabilitate” Shakib, While The Cricketer Retorted That It Was Asif Who Had Blocked Him From Wearing The National Jersey.

Asif Later Emphasized: “He Cannot Be Allowed To Carry The Bangladesh Flag. Wearing The Bangladesh Jersey Is Not Something I Can Possibly Approve… Shakib Al Hasan Will Never Play For Bangladesh Again.”

He Accused Shakib Of Being “Deeply Entangled” In Awami League Politics, Despite The All-Rounder’s Claim That He Had Only Contested Elections To Serve His Constituency.

Shakib, Elected MP For Magura In The 12th National Polls, Has Remained Abroad Since Last Year’s July–August Uprising That Toppled The Awami League. He Currently Faces A Murder Case, Allegations Of Stock Market Fraud, And Charges From The Anti-Corruption Commission.

Citing These Issues, Asif Asserted That Shakib Could Not Be Brought Back Into The Fold. “Why Should Someone Be Rehabilitated Just Because He’s A Good Cricketer? The Law Is Equal For All. Face It,” He Wrote In One Of Several Posts.