Shakib Al Hasan Slams Bangladesh Government’s T20 World Cup Withdrawal as a ‘Blunder’
A Costly Absence: Shakib Al Hasan Reflects on the T20 World Cup Withdrawal
For a nation where cricket is more than just a sport—it is a passion that unites millions—the absence of the national team from the global stage is a bitter pill to swallow. Shakib Al Hasan, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest ever cricketer, has not held back in his assessment of the country’s decision to pull out of the T20 World Cup held in February-March. Speaking on the sidelines of a EUT20 Belgium event in Mumbai, Shakib described the move by the interim government as a “blunder.”
The decision resulted in a historic void; for the first time since 1999, Bangladesh was not represented in a World Cup. The ICC subsequently replaced the Tigers with Scotland after the Bangladesh government refused permission for the squad to travel to India, citing security concerns. For Shakib, this was not merely a logistical or political failure, but a sporting tragedy.
The Impact on a Cricket-Loving Nation
Shakib emphasized the emotional and professional toll of the withdrawal. “I think it was a big loss. It was a great miss as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned,” Shakib stated. He noted that the fans, who live and breathe the game, were the ultimate losers in this scenario. “We as a country love watching our players playing in the World Cup. We are a cricket-loving country. I think it was a blunder from the government side that they took the decision not to participate in the World Cup.”
Geopolitical Tension and the BCCI Conflict
The road to the withdrawal was paved with deteriorating political ties between India and Bangladesh. The friction became evident when the BCCI removed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL for unspecified reasons, signaling a shift in the diplomatic climate. In an attempt to salvage the situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) lobbied the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC Board voted against this proposal, leaving the BCB with a binary choice: travel to India or withdraw.
Adding to the confusion was the conflicting narrative from the government. Asif Nazrul, the sports adviser at the time, initially claimed that the BCB was acting under direct government orders. Yet, once the ouster from the World Cup was official, Nazrul pivoted, claiming the BCB had acted independently. This inconsistency has left many questioning the internal decision-making processes of the nation’s sporting administration.
Mending Fences: The Path Forward with India
The decision to skip the tournament severely strained the relationship between the BCB and the BCCI. Despite the tension, Shakib remains optimistic that sports diplomacy can bridge the gap. He pointed toward a potential white-ball series in September this year as the catalyst for reconciliation.
“I think things will get better,” Shakib remarked. “The effort should be made [to improve relationship between BCCI and BCB]. I think one or two series if Bangladesh visit to India or India go to Bangladesh… When that happens, I think the ice will break, and things will get better.”
A New Era: Tamim Iqbal’s Presidency
In a surprising turn of events, Shakib also addressed the appointment of his long-time teammate, Tamim Iqbal, as the new board president. The relationship between the two has been tumultuous, marked by a public fallout before the 2023 World Cup when Tamim was dropped from the squad captained by Shakib.
However, putting personal differences aside, Shakib welcomed the move. “I think he will have a long-term plan if he becomes president,” Shakib said, expressing hope that Bangladesh cricket would benefit from Tamim’s leadership.
Shakib’s Personal Exile and the Hope for a Return
While he continues to dominate in franchise leagues globally, Shakib’s international career has been in limbo since October 2024. Currently residing in the USA, Shakib has not returned to his homeland since the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, a party in which he served as a Member of Parliament.
Facing several legal cases filed after the government’s collapse, Shakib’s return depends on the legal trajectory set by the new BNP government, which took power in February 2026. Sports Minister Aminul Haque has indicated that the government intends to fast-track cases against Shakib and former captain Mashrafe Mortaza to facilitate their return to the national setup.
For the world’s leading all-rounder, the goal is clear: a proper farewell. In a recent podcast with Moeen Ali, and again in Mumbai, Shakib expressed his desire to play a full series in all three formats on home soil before retiring. “I am hopeful that I can get what I want,” he concluded, clinging to the hope that the turmoil of the past few years will eventually give way to a peaceful exit from the game he loves.
