Following the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The BCB seeks to have its matches held in Sri Lanka instead, citing spurious security concerns. India has consistently demonstrated its capability to host major international tournaments with top-notch security and hospitality. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 serves as a shining example, where the Pakistani team and media openly praised India's efforts.
Recent months have exposed the global community to rising atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi government attempted to link Mustafizur Rahman’s release with Indian security, whereas it was the Indian Cricket Control Board's (BCCI) decision, prompted by recent developments, to pull Mustafizur out of the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who included Mustafizur for INR 9.20 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, faced significant criticism. Some political leaders and spiritual figures questioned the propriety of allowing a Bangladeshi player to participate amidst reports of minority oppression in Bangladesh.
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The security concerns from the Bangladesh Cricket Board appear as a mere façade, as their internal situation seems far more critical. The condition of minorities in Bangladesh is precarious. Interim government leader Mohammad Yunus has not taken a firm stance against atrocities faced by Hindus and other minority communities. Surprisingly, even the majority community faces challenges. Shakib Al Hasan, the most prominent Bangladeshi cricket star, has been compelled to stay abroad for an extended period.
Shakib Al Hasan faces an accusation of involvement in a student’s murder. However, at the time of the incident, Shakib was participating in a T20 league in Canada. Yet, his name was included in the FIR. The event took place on August 5, 2024, when a student named Rubel joined a protest march on Ring Road in the Adabor area. Allegedly, a premeditated attack on the crowd led to Rubel’s death. Apart from Shakib, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 154 others were accused in the case. The accusations against Shakib were politically motivated since he participated in parliamentary elections with the Awami League led by Hasina and emerged victorious. Following the downfall of Hasina's government, Bangladesh’s conditions deteriorated.
Source: aajtak
Shakib Al Hasan aspires to play farewell matches in all three cricket formats on home soil, but current conditions have left that dream unfulfilled. The situation is so dire that he resides in the United States with his family, and a return to Bangladesh seems unlikely in the near future. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has explicitly informed Shakib that it cannot guarantee his safety, preventing his return to Bangladesh. The fear of arrest and security concerns make Shakib Al Hasan’s return improbable for now.
At 38, Shakib Al Hasan is deemed the most outstanding player in Bangladesh cricket history, consistently excelling in every format for the national team. In Test cricket, Shakib scored 4,609 runs at an average of 37.78 over 71 matches, securing 246 wickets, showcasing his prowess. Shakib’s record in the ODI format is equally impressive, with 7,570 runs and 317 wickets in 247 matches.
In T20 International cricket, Shakib amassed 2,551 runs and claimed 149 wickets over 129 matches, solidifying his reputation as one of Bangladesh's most reliable players in this format. Apart from international cricket, Shakib has extensive experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having played 71 matches with 793 runs and 63 wickets to his name. These stats clearly demonstrate that Shakib is not only a top all-rounder in Bangladesh but also ranks among the world's best.
