Bangladesh sports advisor won't 'allow Shakib to wear the Bangladesh jersey' again
Key Takeaways
- Sports advisor Asif Mahmud declared Shakib Al Hasan will be permanently barred from playing for the Bangladesh national cricket team.
- The decision followed a public social media exchange initiated by Shakib's birthday wish to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Mahmud accused Shakib of being 'intricately involved with Awami League's politics' and unfit to represent the country.
- Shakib defended his post, claiming his connection to Hasina was based on her past involvement in cricket, not political instigation.
- Shakib, a former Awami League MP, has not returned to Bangladesh since the government was ousted last year and has been absent from the national team for 12 months.
Bangladesh's sports advisor, Asif Mahmud, has declared that cricketer Shakib Al Hasan will never play for the national team again, stating he will direct the BCB against his selection following a public social media dispute. The controversy began when Shakib wished deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday, prompting a cryptic response from Mahmud, who later accused Shakib of deep involvement with the Awami League's politics. Shakib countered that his birthday wish was based on a prior relationship with Hasina through cricket, not politics, and that he had no motive to instigate trouble. Mahmud insisted that Shakib cannot be allowed to wear the Bangladesh jersey due to his political ties, referencing Shakib's previous role as an Awami League MP before the government was ousted. Shakib, who has not returned to Bangladesh since the political upheaval, has not been selected for the national team in the last year despite playing franchise cricket internationally.
