Habibul Bashar, the recently appointed chairman of selectors for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, has stated that he wants seasoned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to return to the nation and play for at least two more years, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
After a violent student uprising overthrew the Sheikh Hasina-led government in 2024, the 39-year-old Shakib, a member of the Awami League party led by Hasina, moved to the United States. He was prohibited from representing the nation by the temporary administration.
However, Bashar, who assumed power following the election of a new administration earlier this year, was accommodative to the veteran.
Bashar stated that although he is being considered for a comeback, it will not take place during the forthcoming home white-ball series against New Zealand, which begins on April 17, because there is not enough time to arrange it.
“There is not much time left before the New Zealand series and I am not sure how much cricket Shakib has been involved with. From what I know about him, he is not a guy who will come tomorrow and play the day after. He needs preparation too. It’s not a place of emotion. Definitely if we are thinking about Shakib, we will think in the long-term,” Bashar was quoted as saying by ‘Cricbuzz’.
Shakib has frequently stated that he wants to play his final Test match at home before retiring, but Bashar stated that the renowned cricketer still has at least two years of cricket left in him.
“I don’t think about Shakib coming for a single series and then leaving. If we can get service from him, we will want that he provides that for a long time. In that regard, preparation is very important.
“First things first, he is definitely in the plans. You see there are talks about him in regards to the New Zealand series which is why I want him to come prepared for a longer time. I think he still has two years,” Bashar said.
“I want him for the longer term, at least to have that plan where he can play the 2027 World Cup. So my plans are not for one series,” he added.
From 2011 till 2024, Bashar served on the national selection committee.
