T20 WC withdrawal was a blunder: Shakib

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has described the interim government’s decision to withdraw from the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup as a "blunder," claiming the move resulted in a significant setback for the nation’s cricket.

Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai on Wednesday, the veteran all-rounder expressed deep disappointment over the team's absence from the tournament, which was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. 

"I think that’s a big loss. It is a great miss for Bangladesh cricket because, as a nation, we love watching our players compete on the world stage," Shakib was quoted as saying by the Times of India. 

He emphasized that for a cricket-loving country like Bangladesh, missing a global event of this magnitude was a major error in judgment by the current administration.

Shakib, who served as a Member of Parliament under the fallen Awami League administration, has not represented the national team since the government fell on August 5, 2024. 

While he was out of the country during the civil unrest in July, his return to Bangladesh has been stalled by public protests, with some demonstrators labeling him an associate of the former regime.

The former top-ranked all-rounder had originally planned to retire from international cricket following a home Test series against South Africa last October. However, he was forced to cancel those plans due to safety concerns while in transit.

Currently living in the United States with his family, Shakib’s international future remains clouded by political and security issues. Despite public statements from the Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding a potential homecoming, no concrete steps have been taken to facilitate his return.

When asked about the possibility of a final "farewell" appearance in front of a home crowd, Shakib remained cautiously optimistic. "We will see about that later," he remarked. "I believe things will improve with time, and I am hopeful that I can achieve the conclusion I am looking for."