Shakib’s name returned to the spotlight after the BCB confirmed last week that it was keen to bring him back into the national fold. While the move initially appeared symbolic in the aftermath of Bangladesh’s World Cup struggles, BCB director Asif Akbar insisted that it was part of a genuine, ongoing plan rather than a public relations exercise. According to Cricbuzz, the board has remained in regular contact with Shakib and is targeting his return ahead of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, scheduled for March 12, 14 and 16. The Test leg of the tour will be held later in May, after the Pakistan Cricket Board proposed splitting the series due to the Pakistan Super League. “We are communicating with Shakib on a regular basis and he is keen to play, and if everything goes according to our plan, we are hoping to bring him back before the home series against Pakistan,” Asif said to Cricbuzz. He added that Shakib’s primary concern relates to his personal security and the harassment cases lodged against him, matters currently being examined by the government. “These are not under our jurisdiction (his cases), but we took a decision – among the 25 BCB board members, around 23 of us were present and almost all unanimously wanted Shakib in the team,” Asif explained. According to Asif, the board has also tasked its president with engaging the government to help resolve the legal hurdles. “Our president was given the responsibility to discuss the matter with the government – that we want Shakib, and the government should look into his legal issues. That’s all, nothing more,” he said. While officials have indicated March as a possible return window, Ashraful feels Shakib should reconsider his previously stated retirement plans. The former Bangladesh captain had announced in September 2024 that he would retire from T20Is immediately and hoped to end his Test career after the home series against South Africa, subject to security clearance. That clearance never came. Following the fall of the Awami League government, Shakib – a former Member of Parliament under the previous regime – was unable to return home and has effectively lived in exile, missing international cricket for over a year. More recently, Shakib has expressed a desire to play all three formats in front of home fans before officially retiring, a stance that aligns with the BCB’s current approach. Ashraful, though, believes a more selective path could extend Shakib’s value to the team. “I saw an interview of his where he said that he wants to retire from Bangladesh after playing all formats. But I personally think that in today’s cricket, if you play only one format – like Mushfiqur is now playing only Tests… if he wants to focus only on that, as long as he wants and as long as he performs, he can keep playing,” Ashraful told Cricbuzz. He pointed to the 2027 ODI World Cup as a realistic target. “Since there is a World Cup coming after another year [2027 ODI World Cup]… if Shakib wants to continue only ODI cricket for Bangladesh up to the 2027 World Cup, his age will be around 37–38. And with the way workload is managed in modern cricket, playing up to 40–42 is not an issue at all,” he said. Ashraful added that Shakib’s continued presence in global franchise leagues strengthens the case for a limited-format role. “That would be good because he is fit, and he is playing all the franchise tournaments. It’s not like he is sitting at home. Since he plays all franchise leagues, and if for Bangladesh he continues only ODIs with World Cup planning, then it will be good for everyone,” he noted. Shakib himself has remained guarded. When contacted after the BCB’s announcement, he declined to spell out his plans. “Let’s see what happens,” he said, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. In September last year, Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Mahmud had publicly stated that Shakib would not be allowed to represent the country after he wished former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday. Shakib last played international cricket in 2024, featuring in Tests against Pakistan and India. That period marked the first time a government official openly confirmed his exclusion from the national side. Complicating matters further, Shakib was reported for a suspect bowling action during his county stint with Surrey in 2024 and was subsequently suspended. He later admitted that excessive bowling had taken a toll on his action, partly intentionally, before being cleared to resume bowling after passing reassessment. Now active across multiple franchise leagues, Shakib has maintained that staying fit remains central to his hope of returning home and wearing Bangladesh colours once again. Whether that journey ends in March or stretches towards the 2027 World Cup remains unresolved, but the conversation around his comeback has firmly begun.