The Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day tournament gets underway in Bogra and Rajshahi on Monday, and ahead of the competition South Zone head coach Mohammed Ashraful spoke about all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for the national side.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials have previously said they initiated discussions with Shakib regarding a possible return.
Shakib, a former Awami League MP, has not returned to the country since the government was ousted in August 2024. The 38-year-old has been absent from the national side for nearly a year and a half, with franchise leagues around the world becoming his primary cricketing focus. His last appearance in national colours came in a Test against India in Kanpur in late 2024.
Ashraful, however, said he has no personal knowledge of any development.
“We don’t have any information. I can only talk about things I’ve heard in the media,” he said.
“I personally believe that at 37 or 38, if Shakib focuses on one format, he can easily serve Bangladesh until the 2027 World Cup. That would benefit us. An experienced player like him can contribute with both bat and ball, so it will be good for us if we get him,” he added.
National team players are featuring in the BCL as part of preparations for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan in March. Bangladesh’s recent ODI results have been underwhelming, and Ashraful was asked about Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s leadership, with the ODI skipper also turning out for South Zone.
Ashraful felt the absence of experienced middle-order batters such as Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, who has retired, has hurt the team’s performances.
“We are playing good cricket in two of the three formats. ODIs were our best format over the last year and a half, but we are lagging a bit now. That’s because three of our big middle-order players -- Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah and Shakib -- have left. The players replacing them are performing, but the results aren’t coming,” he said.
Bangladesh have 23 ODIs remaining until March next year, after which the ICC ODI rankings will determine direct qualification spots alongside the host nations. Ashraful expressed confidence in Miraz’s leadership as the team look to secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
“Miraz is definitely trying to do well in this BCL because our campaign starts with the Pakistan series. To play in the 2027 World Cup, we have to stay in the top seven or eight in the rankings. So every series and every match is important. Miraz is very focused on that, and we in the coaching staff are also thinking about how we can directly qualify for the 2027 World Cup,” he said.
