Shakib Can Still Play For National Team: BCB President

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Faruque Ahmed has claimed that Shakib Al Hasan can still play for the national team but admitted that the final decision remains with the veteran all-rounder.

Shakib hasn't played any international cricket since the India Test series. The all-rounder has retired from T20Is and Tests and had hoped to bid adieu to the longest format of the game during the home series against South Africa.

However, legal disputes meant that Shakib couldn't return home and has since missed the ODI series against Afghanistan last month. It is highly unlikely that the all-rounder will make it to the squad for the upcoming West Indies ODIs, the last set of matches for Bangladesh before the Champions Trophy next year.

Speaking during the mascot launching program of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Sunday (December 1), Ahmed said that he cannot give a definitive answer about Shakib as the participation of the all-rounder involves the law and the court.

"As for Shakib Al Hasan, I cannot provide a definitive answer. I want him to play, but his absence is not related to the cricket board. The reasons preventing his participation involve law enforcement and the court. It's not easy for me to address this."

"If the issue is resolved, I still believe Shakib can play for the national team," said Ahmed.

Ahmed went on to say that Shakib doesn't seem to be in the right mental state to contribute to the national team at the moment and they have left the decision to him when it comes to playing international cricket.

"However, playing in franchise leagues abroad and playing for the national team are not the same. The national team requires a certain combination, and Shakib doesn't seem to be in the mental state to contribute at that level right now. We've left this decision to him," he said.

Shakib is currently playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, where he represents the Bangla Tigers franchise.