New Delhi: Shakib Al Hasan’s absence from Bangladesh’s national team has got nothing to do with the country’s cricket board but is a legal matter, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Faruque Ahmed clarified on Sunday.
The former skipper has been out of the team since their away Test series in India in September. Having quit T20Is and ODIs earlier, the left hander had hoped to retire from international cricket in their home Test series against South Africa.
But due to a legal dispute after being charged for murder during his time as a MP for the ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government, Shakib couldn’t return home.
Last month, he was not in the squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan and faces the prospect of not being in the squad for the upcoming West Indies ODIs, which Bangladesh’s last set of matches before the Champions Trophy in February-March next year.
‘Shakib still eligible to play’
Ahmed said Shakib is welcome in the team but his eligibility depends on law of the land and court but doesn’t seem to be in the mental state to make meaningful contributions to the national team.
“As for Shakib Al Hasan, I cannot provide a definitive answer. I want him to play, but his absence is not related to the cricket board. The reasons preventing his participation involve law enforcement and the court.
“It’s not easy for me to address this. If the issue is resolved, I still believe Shakib has the ability to play for the national team,” Ahmed said during the mascot launching programme of the Bangladesh Premier League.
As far as playing for the national team is concerned, the BCB will leave the decision on Shakib, Ahmed added. The all-rounder is currently representing Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
“However, playing in franchise leagues abroad and playing for the national team are not the same. The national team requires a certain combination, and Shakib doesn’t seem to be in the mental state to contribute at that level right now. We’ve left this decision to him,” he said.
Shakib Al Hasan has been out of the Bangladesh cricket team since their away Test series in India in September. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
