The President of the Ad-hoc Committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Tamim Iqbal, has urged the media and the public to adopt a more comprehensive view regarding the potential return of veteran cricketers currently distanced from the national framework. During a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday, 30 April 2026, the former opening batter addressed the recurring questions surrounding Shakib Al Hasan, whilst highlighting that other former captains face nearly identical circumstances.
Shakib Al Hasan has been absent from the country and the national squad for a prolonged period. Despite this, he remains a central figure in domestic sports discourse, with the BCB repeatedly fielding inquiries about the left-arm all-rounder’s eventual return to competitive cricket in Bangladesh.
Request for Balanced Scrutiny of Veteran Players
In response to the singular focus on Shakib, Tamim Iqbal requested that similar questions be directed towards other senior figures who have faced comparable challenges following the political shifts of late 2024. He explicitly named Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Naimur Rahman Durjoy, both of whom are landmark former captains of the Bangladesh national team.
“From my current position, I have one request to make: for the last year or two, we have been discussing one particular cricketer—Shakib,” Tamim informed the assembled journalists. “However, I would also request that when you ask this question, you consider that two of our other former captains, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Durjoy Bhai, are in exactly the same position. Yet, there are no questions regarding them.”
The “position” referenced by Tamim pertains to the legal complications arising after the mass uprising on 5 August 2024. Following the collapse of the previous Awami League administration, criminal cases were initiated against various figures associated with the party, including Shakib, Mashrafe, and Naimur. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Naimur Rahman Durjoy both served as Members of Parliament for the Awami League following the 2024 General Election. Tamim argued that as all three individuals are former national captains, the discourse regarding their future should be treated with parity and inclusivity.
BCB’s Position on Cricketing Support and Lawful Resolution
Tamim Iqbal sought to clarify the distinction between the board’s role in providing sporting facilities and the state’s legal proceedings. He emphasised that the BCB is prepared to provide full cricketing support to these players, provided their external legal hurdles are addressed.
“Regarding the situation Shakib is in, from our end, for any cricketing facilities or requirements, we will welcome them with open arms,” Tamim stated. He further referenced recent government communications, noting: “The Minister has also indicated a willingness to be flexible regarding the legal aspects from his side. As for the Cricket Board, we are always here to assist with cricketing matters. If they resolve their current problems and return, they will be welcomed.”
Addressing the Tactical Void and Institutional Policy
The Ad-hoc Committee, under Tamim’s leadership, is currently navigating the BCB through a complex transitional era. A key challenge remains managing the legacy and potential return of senior assets whose careers have been stalled by non-sporting factors.
The continued absence of Shakib Al Hasan has left a notable gap in the national team’s tactical depth, particularly given his unique status as a world-class all-rounder. However, Tamim’s mention of Mashrafe and Naimur serves as a reminder that the intersection of sport and politics has impacted multiple eras of Bangladeshi cricket. By calling for a uniform approach, Tamim is advocating for an institutional policy that treats all veteran contributors with the same standard of professional courtesy.
As of April 2026, the path back to the Mirpur training grounds remains twofold: the resolution of legal cases initiated in the wake of the 2024 political transition, and a subsequent evaluation of match readiness by the national selection panel. The BCB’s official stance remains that they are ready to facilitate a return to cricket, provided the necessary legal and administrative requirements of the state are met.