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Iftekhar Rahman, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director, has confirmed that veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan remains very much in the selectors’ consideration.
Shakib, 38, made a quiet return to competitive cricket last week after nearly six months on the sidelines, turning out for Lahore Qalandars in three matches during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.
The comeback followed a clearance of his bowling action by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which had deemed it illegal across formats in December last year after his stint with Surrey.
His return, however, has not been a headline-grabber. With two ducks and just one wicket in three outings, Shakib’s impact has been minimal, but that hasn’t closed the door on a possible comeback.
“Shakib will always be in the consideration of the selectors and the team management,” Iftekhar said on Monday. “He is an asset for any team. He is a world-class cricketer.”
Shakib Al Hasan last played for Bangladesh in the second Test against India in Kanpur back in October.
Ahead of that match, he had announced plans to end his Test career on home soil against South Africa and declared his T20I retirement.
However, widespread student protests in the wake of the Awami League’s fall from power on August 5, the same party Shakib represents in parliament, derailed those plans.
Since then, he hasn’t returned to Bangladesh, and the BCB has kept its distance, excluding him from squads, including for the Champions Trophy.
“He has just returned after correcting his bowling action. Let him play a few more matches, and I think then we can answer the question [about his return],” Iftekhar added.
Bangladesh’s cricketing landscape has shifted significantly in Shakib’s absence. The team recently lost a T20I series 2-1 to the UAE in Sharjah and now prepares to face Pakistan in a three-match series in Lahore.
“It is a relatively new team without the four senior players (Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah),” Iftekhar acknowledged.
“There’s a void in the team. I think we have the talent among the current crop of players, but they lack application. The more they play, the better they will get.”
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