Shakib Al Hasan Admits Bangladesh Missing Out on T20 World Cup Because of Government’s Stance was a “Big Miss”

Shakib Al Hasan made these comments, while in attendance at the official European T20 League jersey launch event in Belgium.

Shakib Al Hasan Admits Bangladesh Missing Out on T20 World Cup Because of Government’s Stance was a “Big Miss”

Shakib Al Hasan slammed the BCB's previous decision to opt out of the 2026 T20 WC. (via India Today)

In Short
  • Shakib Al Hasan criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board for opting out of the 2026 T20 World Cup, calling it a "blunder."
  • The decision to withdraw was linked to the interim government's stance and security concerns regarding the tournament in India.
  • Shakib expressed hope for improved cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh, anticipating a bilateral series later this year.

One of Bangladesh cricket’s biggest names, Shakib Al Hasan, publicly criticized the BCB for its choice to opt out of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India. The 39-year-old deemed the decision a ‘blunder’, holding the country’s interim government responsible.

The ties between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India experienced a dramatic shift in 2026. It began with Mustafizur Rahman being released by IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders abruptly, a move labeled as ‘insulting’ by the BCB.

In retaliation, the board announced it would prevent the national team from traveling to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.

After the BCB’s request for a change in venue was rejected, Bangladesh officially withdrew from the tournament, leading to the ICC replacing them with Scotland. The former board chief, Aminul Islam Bulbul, backed these decisions, most of which were linked to the policies of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, by maintaining their stance that the games should be relocated to Sri Lanka.

Things, however, seem to be changing now, with Islam and his entourage being dismissed by the newly-elected government in Bangladesh on charges of misuse of power. One of the country’s greatest batters, Tamim Iqbal, has now been appointed as the caretaker chief of the BCB. Iqbal’s former teammate and legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan recently predicted that he would succeed as the BCB President and confirmed that Iqbal has a long-term vision for the role.

Furthermore, Shakib Al Hasan also slammed the BCB’s earlier call to opt out of the T20 WC, emphasizing that the interim government’s stance denied fans of the ‘cricket-loving’ country the chance to see their team perform on the biggest stage.

The 39-year-old stated that the withdrawal was framed as a political decision. He hoped for the revival of cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh, while adding that a bilateral series, which is expected to be played later this year, could improve relations. He told the reporters:

We are a cricket-loving country and a country like Bangladesh not participating in the [T20] World Cup was a big miss. It’s a blunder from the government’s side that they took the decision not to participate… I think things [India-Bangladesh ties] will get better.

It might also pave the way for Al Hasan’s return to Bangladesh, given that he has been living in the USA since 2024. The all-rounder is yet to play his farewell Test match in the country, which would bring an end to his 20-year-long cricketing career. 

Shakib Al Hasan’s international cricketing career over the years 

Widely considered Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer and one of the finest all-rounders, Shakib Al Hasan enjoyed a storied career. He is, in fact, the only player to occupy the no.1 spot on the ICC All-Rounders’ Rankings across all three formats (Test, ODI, and T20).

Shakib Al Hasan career
Shakib Al Hasan has enjoyed a stellar cricketing career for Bangladesh over the year. (via Rediff)

He made his debut for Bangladesh in 2006, before finding a place in the Test team the following year. Prior to that, he had even represented the country at the U-19 level, most notably playing in the 2005 Afro-Asia Cup. He later on went on to become a mainstay in the national team setup, after a significant breakthrough in a Test match against New Zealand in 2008 at home, where he picked up 7 wickets. 

The 39-year-old played 71 Tests, scoring over 4,600 runs at an average of 37, while also picking up 246 wickets. He was all the more prolific in ODIs, with 7,570 runs and 317 wickets in 247 matches. In T20Is, he scored 2,551 runs in 129 matches, while picking up 149 wickets. Shakib Al Hasan was the most impactful at the 2019 ODI WC, where he scored a record-breaking 606 runs and scalped 11 wickets. 

While a consistent performer, his career was, however, marred by several controversies, most of which were related to disciplinary issues and on-field conduct. He was also banned from playing cricket across two different spells in 2014 and 2019, for almost a year.

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