Shakib Al Hasan Slams Bangladesh Government’s T20 World Cup Absence as a ‘Blunder’
A Costly Omission: Shakib Al Hasan on the T20 World Cup ‘Blunder’
For a nation where cricket is more than just a sport—it is a passion that binds millions—the absence of the national team from the global stage is an unthinkable scenario. However, that is exactly what happened during the T20 World Cup held in February-March. Now, Shakib Al Hasan, the cornerstone of Bangladesh cricket, has spoken out, describing the interim government’s decision to prevent the team’s participation as a significant “blunder.”
Speaking on the sidelines of a EUT20 Belgium event in Mumbai, Shakib did not mince his words regarding the government’s refusal to grant travel permission for the team to play in India, citing security concerns. This decision led the International Cricket Council (ICC) to replace Bangladesh with Scotland, marking the first time since 1999 that Bangladesh was not involved in a World Cup.
“I think it was a big loss. It was a great miss as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned,” Shakib stated. “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.”
The Political Friction Behind the Scenes
The road to this exclusion was paved with escalating political tensions between India and Bangladesh. The friction became evident when the BCCI removed Bangladesh’s premier fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, from the IPL for unspecified reasons. This move occurred against a backdrop of deteriorating bilateral ties, which spilled over into the sporting arena.
In an attempt to salvage the situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) lobbied the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s scheduled matches to Sri Lanka. However, these efforts were futile, as the ICC Board voted against the proposal, leaving the team with no choice but to travel to India or withdraw entirely.
The internal narrative regarding this decision has also been fraught with contradiction. Asif Nazrul, then the sports adviser to the interim government, initially claimed on multiple occasions that the BCB was simply following government orders. Yet, once Bangladesh’s ouster from the tournament was finalized, Nazrul shifted his stance, suggesting that the BCB had acted independently. This inconsistency has only added to the confusion and frustration surrounding the event.
Healing the Rift: BCB and BCCI Relations
The fallout from the World Cup withdrawal severely strained the relationship between the BCB and the BCCI. However, Shakib remains optimistic that diplomacy and sport can bridge the gap. He believes that restarting bilateral series is the only way to move forward.
“I think things will get better,” Shakib noted. “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… I heard there’s a series that is likely to happen in August or September. When that happens, I think the ice will break, and things will get better.”
A New Era Under Tamim Iqbal
Adding another layer of intrigue to the BCB’s restructuring is the appointment of Tamim Iqbal as the new board president. The relationship between Shakib and Tamim has been notoriously volatile, reaching a peak during the 2023 World Cup when Tamim was dropped from the squad captained by Shakib.
Despite their public fallout, Shakib has extended his support to his former teammate’s new leadership role. “I think he will have a long-term plan if he becomes president,” Shakib said. “Hopefully Bangladesh cricket will get benefit from him.”
The Long Road Home for Shakib
While he continues to dominate in franchise leagues globally, Shakib Al Hasan has been absent from international cricket 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.
His return is complicated by several legal cases filed against him following the government transition. However, there is a glimmer of hope. The new BNP government, which took power in February 2026, has indicated a desire to resolve these issues. Sports Minister Aminul Haque has stated that the government intends to fast-track the cases against both Shakib and former captain Mashrafe Mortaza to facilitate their return to the national team.
Shakib’s ultimate goal is clear: a proper farewell. In a recent podcast with Moeen Ali, he expressed his desire to play a full series in all three formats in Dhaka before hanging up his boots. “I think things will start getting better sooner or later,” he concluded. “I am hopeful that I can get what I want.”
Shaan Cooper is a cricket journalist and SEO content writer from Bengaluru who focuses on breaking cricket news, live match coverage, and player performance stories. Her writing style combines fast-paced reporting with detailed cricket knowledge tailored for digital sports platforms.
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