Shakib’s comeback dream suffers fresh blow, farewell series now in serious doubt

Fan’s hopes of seeing Shakib Al Hasan return to the national team for a farewell series have suffered a major setback after the government said the former captain has no opportunity to return and play for the country under the current circumstances.

Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque told Cricbuzz that he saw no prospect of Shakib returning to the national team. “There is no opportunity for him to return and play,” Haque said.

The government’s position comes after Shakib said he was ready to return to Bangladesh if provided with adequate security and face the legal process against him. Speaking to Reuters, the veteran all-rounder also expressed his desire to play a farewell series on home soil and represent Bangladesh at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Shakib, 39, has been based outside Bangladesh since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. He was an Awami League lawmaker at the time and has since remained largely away from the national setup.

Haque said Shakib’s political involvement had fundamentally changed the circumstances surrounding his return. According to the minister, Shakib would have to go through the legal process if he returned to the country, leaving little scope for him to resume his international career with Bangladesh.

Shakib, however, maintains that he has committed no wrongdoing and says he is prepared to face the courts. He currently faces two active cases in Bangladesh—one related to the death of a person during the 2024 protests and another involving alleged corruption. He has rejected the allegations against him.

The veteran cricketer also revealed that he had previously attempted to return to Bangladesh after receiving what he understood to be security assurances, but was later prevented from completing the journey.

Shakib’s hopes of ending his international career on his own terms now appear increasingly uncertain. One of Bangladesh’s most decorated cricketers, he has already stepped away from some formats and continues to play franchise cricket, but has said he does not want to delay retirement for too long.

A return to the national team would also be required if Shakib were to pursue his stated ambition of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup. With the government now publicly ruling out his return, both that ambition and the prospect of a farewell series at home face a major hurdle.

For Bangladesh cricket, the issue is bigger than a comeback. Shakib’s potential absence from a final home appearance could mean one of the country’s most influential cricketers ends his international career without a farewell in front of a home crowd.