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Former skipper Shakib Al Hasan reckons Bangladesh cricket suffered a "great loss" by not playing in the last ICC T20 World Cup following the decision of the interim government.
Speaking on the sidelines of a promotional event in Mumbai on Wednesday, the former ace all-rounder also expressed his disappointment on missing the global tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka between Feb 7 and Mar 8.
“I think that’s a big loss. A great miss as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned because we as a country love watching our players play World Cups,” the Times of India quoted him as saying.
Describing his compatriots as cricket-lovers, he said: "A country like Bangladesh not participating in the World Cup was a big miss.
"I think it’s a blunder from the (interim) government that they took the decision not to participate in that World Cup.”
Shakib has not featured for Bangladesh since the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024.
Although he was abroad during the July Uprising, his return was complicated by protests, with demonstrators branding him an “ally” of the former regime.
At the time, he was serving as a member of parliament.
He had been expected to bid farewell to international cricket with a home Test against South Africa in October last year, but was forced to abandon the plan midway due to “security concerns” while travelling back.
Since then, the former captain’s international future has remained uncertain.
In subsequent interviews, Shakib expressed his wish to retire on home soil.
Currently residing in the US with his family, his potential return continues to hinge on evolving circumstances.
Despite repeated assurances from the Bangladesh Cricket Board about facilitating his return, no tangible progress has yet been made.
On the farewell appearance as a “Tiger”, he hinted at “something positive”.
“We’ll see that later,” he said with a hopeful tone.
“But I think things will start getting better sooner or later with time. I’m hopeful that I can get what I want,” he maintained.