ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has given green signal to its two prominent all-rounders Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza for returning to cricket and playing against Pakistan in the upcoming home ODI series, starting on March 11.
They have been advised to resolve their legal proceedings against them. Both cricketers became member of Bangladesh Parliament after joining the defunct Awami League and remained out of cricket since the change of government. BD State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on Wednesday said that Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza would be welcomed back to cricket if they resolved the legal proceedings against them.
The BCB has officially spoken about Shakib’s return following a recent board meeting, and there are suggestions that the all-rounder may even feature in the upcoming home ODI series against Pakistan, starting on March 11. Haque had previously stated that the government would take a lenient stance regarding the cases against Shakib and Mashrafe.
Speaking after a programme at Pallabi Bidyaniketan on Wednesday, Aminul Haque said that Shakib and Mashrafe, however, would still have to face and resolve the cases against them. “Shakib and Mashrafe are legendary cricketers. I have seen the love of the people of Bangladesh for them and their attraction to cricket. I feel that the legal cases against them were the state’s decision,” he said.
He further said that Shakib and Mashrafe should address the cases through their lawyers in accordance with state laws. “Through their lawyers, if they face the legal proceedings against them and resolve everything to prove their innocence to return to the field, I will welcome them. We will be hundred percent flexible in that regard,” he said.
Shakib, a former Awami League MP, has not returned to the country since the Awami League-led government was ousted in August 2024. His last match for Bangladesh was the Kanpur Test during the Tigers’ tour of India in September 2024. Shakib was entangled in a murder case.
Meanwhile, BCB sources have claimed that documents related to the cases against Shakib have been forwarded to the government. “This is a policymaking issue, it will be handled by the relevant authorities, and for now, the board is not involved in the proceedings. If anything is required [from the board], we will be notified,” a BCB official said on the condition of anonymity.
