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Sarfaraz Ahmed returns to the Pakistan national te

Why being Pakistan head coach could be the perfect role for Sarfaraz

The former Pakistan captain waltzes into his new role with relatively little experience in coaching, but a strong bond with Test captain Shan Masood and an acute understanding of the game Less than two months ago, Sarfaraz Ahmed retired from international cricket. The writing had been on the wall for some time, despite playing for Pakistan as recently as late 2023. He did so under the leadership of Pakistan's current captain, Shan Masood. A few weeks before the announcement, he was in Zimbabwe with Pakistan's Under-19 team. Officially, he went there as a mentor. At least partially, he was there as a coach, in that familiar blurry role Pakistan's backroom staff often fits into. Sarfaraz's experience with the U-19 team was perhaps not the kind of high-performance CV to land the full-time job as a Test head coach. Especially as the one to succeed Jason Gillespie, whose past elite coaching experience, upon appointment, was cited by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. But an interim stint in the role by Aqib Javed has since suggested elite experience is much more of a negotiable than it seemed to be two years ago. Seven years ago, Misbah-ul-Haq - Sarfaraz's predecessor as Test captain - also landed the same coaching job, with the titles of chief selector and batting coach thrown in to boot. He, in turn, was replacing the head coach he had played under: Mickey Arthur. In a signature Pakistan cricket twist, Misbah was among those who sat on a committee deciding whether Arthur would continue as coach. No one at the time ever tried too hard to deny that obvious conflict of interest, or even pretend that this might not be the most bulletproof way of making managerial decisions.As such, Sarfaraz's ascendance, fresh out of cricket, is not so much a leap into the dark as a specific moment in time. A moment in the peaks and troughs that Pakistan's views about coaching experience oscillate between. And so it's probably unfair to play the man and not the ball. There is no visible future in which Pakistan's coaching decisions happen in a way that satisfies everyone. That, in itself, does not make Sarfaraz an unworthy coach, or preface a failed stint. Sarfaraz is recalled best not for his batting or keeping, but his captaincy and management of team-mates. While he had a growing cadre of critics as the end drew near, his canny street-smarts as captain ultimately ended up giving him more rope than a pure keeper-batter might have enjoyed. That reputation of Sarfaraz in the popular imagination has survived in the near-decade since, particularly his stewardship of the T20 team. In 2016, he took over as captain from Shahid Afridi, who his own coach Waqar Younis criticised as so tactically inept that Waqar doubted Afridi's ability to set a field. It was that very side Sarfaraz would whip up and turn around into the unstoppable behemoth that would rise to No. 1 in the T20 rankings, and win a record 11 consecutive series. He picked up a Champions Trophy along the way - still the only Pakistan captain, bar Imran Khan, to win a 50-over ICC event. And though his stint as Test captain, following Misbah's retirement, was less happy, the musical chairs Pakistan were forced to play with the captaincy over the next 12 months demonstrated how denuded Pakistan were of potential men to hitch the armband to. In that sense, coaching is the best use case for Sarfaraz - someone whose performance on the field deserted him long before his ability to think about the game did. While the top job has come his way long before a more conventional, linear career path would indicate, it might be unfair to say Sarfaraz would not have put in the harder yards.In the right environment, few question Sarfaraz's generosity of spirit, or his sense of stewardship towards people he has bonded with or feels responsible for. Before joining the U-19 boys' side last year, he threw himself with great enthusiasm into a brief mentorship of Pakistan's U-19 girls' team. He would get involved with throwdowns and regular on-field drills, more befitting a coach than a mentor, and later take them out for fast food and ice cream. Now in the top job, Sarfaraz gives Masood - who has not enjoyed the happiest stint as captain as far as results go - a familiar figure to lean on. The pair have always been on great terms with each other. Sarfaraz's presence might help shake off memories of Masood's nadir with the armband when, against the very opposition Pakistan take on over the next fortnight, they lost a home series 2-0 for the very first time. Sarfaraz's presence offers a reminder that this is a different era, and in some ways, a throwback to one when that sort of thing didn't happen. Some relationships, of course, will need mending. The jostle for the gloves - and ultimately a spot in the side - between Mohammad Rizwan and Sarfaraz has not exactly left behind the warmest of relationships. Meanwhile, it is no secret Babar Azam succeeded Sarfaraz as captain, and then presided over a sustained period of the latter's exclusion from the side. This has seen bonds between the two fray. However, times change. With Babar and Rizwan less-assured starters in the Pakistan sides, perhaps past tensions will all be water under the bridge. Sarfaraz, finally, appears to have been handed the role that gives him the greatest satisfaction of all. And a happy Sarfaraz was rarely a mean-spirited one. If he can help Pakistan turn a corner in a format the team's best version undoubtedly still offers potential, it might just give Sarfaraz greater satisfaction than the enjoyment of his ability to merely exercise his power. Because Pakistan cricket, as Sarfaraz will know better than most, can strip away power just as quickly as it has been handed over.

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Ban vs Pak Test

Bangladesh reload for Pakistan encore, armed with pace and preparation

he nation was in celebration mode when Bangladesh last played Test cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim becoming the first from the country to play 100 Tests was a huge moment. As was Bangladesh's 2-0 series sweep against Ireland. But it was back in November last year, which, by Bangladesh's standards, was a lifetime ago. The events since certainly make it seem so. A player boycott, the T20 World Cup ostracism, and another change of board president were just some of the things that transpired since those innocent days of the Bangladesh-Ireland series. A hint of stability has returned in the last couple of weeks with an overhaul of the BCB, and Bangladesh now head into their first Test series in six months: this weekend, they take on Pakistan in Dhaka. Tests against Pakistan gained new meaning for Bangladesh ever since their monumental series win in 2024. It has led to many, including Bangladesh's senior cricketers, to believe that they can repeat the feat in the upcoming two-match series. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and pace-bowling leader Taskin Ahmed, however, are not banking on nostalgia: Bangladesh's form, preparations, and a fast-bowling attack that's been doing things right for a while now are making them believe. The ODI series wins against Pakistan and New Zealand in the last two months have boosted the team even though it has been months without Test cricket. Bangladesh, though, have always been a team that finds confidence from success in general, whatever the format, and have chosen a reasonably in-form squad with all of their first-choice batters present. The selectors have also picked Tanzid Hasan, who has done well in the white-ball formats recently. They have also selected batter Amite Hasan, who has dominated domestic cricket in the last few years. Bangladesh captain Shanto suggested that the preparation - similar to the 2024 Pakistan series, he said - would give them the edge going into the Test series. "I think what was best about the 2024 tour was our preparation," Shanto said in a chat with ESPNcricinfo. "I remember that our players were very well prepared. In fact, I would say I had never seen such good preparation in my time as a cricketer. At the same time, I thought we played some great cricket. I think the way we came back from 26 for 6 [in the second Test in Rawalpindi] was unbelievable. So I think these two factors were highlights of that tour. "I think we are preparing well again. Even those who have not been in the white-ball teams are in training for a long time. I think it is possible for us to win the series this time too, provided we work extremely hard over the ten days. I don't want to look that far forward. It is important to play good cricket every day. If we can ensure that, we will have a good Test series." The Test series win in 2024 is still Shanto's biggest achievement as captain. After that series, it was a rough ride with defeats against India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the next ten months. Already under pressure, the BCB stripped Shanto of the ODI captaincy and, after the Sri Lanka series, he quit the Test captaincy too. But by the time Bangladesh played their next Test series, against Ireland, Shanto had returned to the helm and has since returned to runs. He struck a half-century and century against New Zealand in the ODIs recently. "To be very honest, I am enjoying my captaincy," Shanto said. "I wouldn't be in this job if I wasn't enjoying the role. It is quite normal for a cricketer to go through a lot. It is essential to stay within what you can control; there's no point thinking about what you can't control. "Captaincy relates to a lot of technical things like field placements and bowling changes that come into play especially during crunch moments. I think I did those things quite well in the 2024 series [against Pakistan]. There will now be new plans for the new challenges in the shape of a set of new cricketers in the opposition. I think my biggest advantage are the experienced cricketers in the side like Mushfiq bhai, Mominul [Haque] bhai and Taijul [Islam] bhai. They are always happy to give me inputs." Shanto's main weapon against Pakistan will be his fast-bowling attack, which dominated against Pakistan and New Zealand in ODIs recently. Taskin will lead the attack, alongside Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain. Rana has grabbed the most attention recently but Shoriful has shown great form, Ebadot is a vastly improved bowler, and Taskin is returning to the Test fold after December 2024 but has been at the top of his game in other formats. "It is by the grace of the almighty that so many fast bowlers are coming up in Bangladesh," Taskin said. "We have a great variety of fast bowling. We have guys like Mustafiz[ur Rahman], myself, Rana, Shoriful, Ebadot and Hasan Mahmud. All of us can bowl match-winning spells. "It is all about our rhythm, so we try to make the best of the day when we are in good rhythm. Since our quality has improved, we have become more consistent. Bowling partnerships have become much better, which is a very important aspect in the overall growth." It was Taskin's comeback that, in many ways, inspired the rest of the fast bowlers in the country. "I think it all started with my comeback during the Covid days," Taskin said. "Everyone saw how hard work and process can make anything happen. Everybody started to follow the same path. We became consistent regarding the process. We also have a strong bond off the field. We are having dinner together, we are going out together, we share each other's experience." Taskin had a bit role to play in Bangladesh's 2024 triumph in Rawalpindi, though he still beams whenever the series is mentioned. It was his first over of the match against Abdullah Shafique in the second Test that gave Bangladesh the early advantage. "I was definitely enjoying bowling in Rawalpindi, particularly that first over of the match. I was able to execute the entire over the way I wanted," Taskin said. "I took five balls away and brought the sixth ball in. Actually you will enjoy bowling when there are sporting conditions. "I am sure that it will be similar in Bangladesh this time, as pitches are much better now than before. When the bowlers get a little bit of movement, the chances of executing increase and, at the same time, the extra effort comes from within." The 2024 series will also bring back good memories for Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was adjudged the Player of the Series after his 155 runs and ten wickets in the two Tests. It was the best all-round performance in a Test series in Pakistan in 27 years. Mehidy's biggest contributions were his batting partnerships in both the Tests. Such contributions from Shanto, Taskin and Mehidy will be necessary again if Bangladesh are to do an encore, this time at home. Even though Shanto has signalled his good form of late, Taskin might be rusty when it comes to the red ball, and Mehidy hasn't had a great time since those outings in Rawalpindi. Thankfully for Bangladesh, there are now a few more performers who have shown match-winning capabilities. The litmus test would be to convert their white-ball form into a big, collective red-ball performance, and if they do, it could signal a turning point for Bangladesh.

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Mohammad Nawaz successfully pulled off a juggling

Nawaz under investigation after positive test for recreational drug use

Mohammad Nawaz is under investigation after a positive test for recreational drug use, ESPNcricinfo can reveal. Nawaz's deal to join Surrey for the T20 Blast in England has fallen through as a result. Nawaz, who has played 98 T20Is for Pakistan, is subject to an ICC anti-doping process. A PCB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday: "The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today." ESPNcricinfo has learned that the positive result comes from testing during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Nawaz, 32, played in all seven of Pakistan's matches in Sri Lanka as they were eliminated at the Super Eight stage, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets. Nawaz had agreed to sign for Surrey, and was due to be available throughout the Blast, which runs from May 26 until July 18. The PCB announced two weeks ago that Nawaz had been granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Blast, and Surrey had planned to announce his signing this week. But ESPNcricinfo has learned that the deal has now fallen through, and Nawaz will no longer join the club this summer. Surrey declined to comment. Nawaz has been an ever-present for Multan Sultans in the ongoing PSL season, and bowled three wicketless overs in their six-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in Karachi on Tuesday night. The ICC declined to comment.

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Connor Esterhuizen was named Player of the Series

Gujarat Titans sign Esterhuizen as replacement for injured Banton

Gujarat Titans (GT) have signed South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026 with a finger injury. Banton, who GT signed for his base price of INR 2 crore in the auction, didn't play a game this season. Esterhuizen has been signed for INR 75 lakh. He made his T20I debut earlier this year, when South Africa toured New Zealand for a five-match series. He had a breakout debut series, scoring 200 runs at an average of 50 and strike rate of 145.98, with two half-centuries. He won two Player-of-the-Match awards and was also named Player of the Series. He has played for Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town in the SA20, and has also made four appearances for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. Banton, meanwhile, had made a return to the IPL after four years, having previously made two appearances for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2021. With two wins from four games, GT are sixth on the points table, locked with four other teams on four points each. Gujarat Titans (GT) saw enough of Glenn Phillips, and despite his obvious ability, decided IPL 2026 wasn't going to be his season. Enter Jason Holder. And he has already made a difference. In the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, Holder was the Player of the Match as GT won by a canter, returning 2 for 29, taking three catches including a contentious one, and then scoring a crucial 12 when GT needed just that from him. "I was a little bit worried that he was on the bench all that time [GT's first six matches] and then he was going to come in and they're going to ask as much of him to be that much better than the player that he replaced," Ian Bishop said on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut show. "I suppose it wasn't hard. He can bowl in the powerplay for you if you want him to; he can bowl at the death; he'll bowl his pace-off [deliveries] in the middle. "He relishes the opportunity to bat higher for teams in T20 cricket. He doesn't always get [the chance], but he wants to - he thinks he's a batsman sometimes who bowls rather than a bowler who bats. And with so many catches being dropped… when you see him catching like that, you can put him in any position on the field and he'll catch for you. Give him the [wicketkeeping] gloves, he'll do that. So that makes you a real asset to take those catches when so many catches have gone down recently." Gujarat Titans (GT) saw enough of Glenn Phillips, and despite his obvious ability, decided IPL 2026 wasn't going to be his season. Enter Jason Holder. And he has already made a difference. In the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, Holder was the Player of the Match as GT won by a canter, returning 2 for 29, taking three catches including a contentious one, and then scoring a crucial 12 when GT needed just that from him. "I was a little bit worried that he was on the bench all that time [GT's first six matches] and then he was going to come in and they're going to ask as much of him to be that much better than the player that he replaced," Ian Bishop said on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut show. "I suppose it wasn't hard. He can bowl in the powerplay for you if you want him to; he can bowl at the death; he'll bowl his pace-off [deliveries] in the middle. "He relishes the opportunity to bat higher for teams in T20 cricket. He doesn't always get [the chance], but he wants to - he thinks he's a batsman sometimes who bowls rather than a bowler who bats. And with so many catches being dropped… when you see him catching like that, you can put him in any position on the field and he'll catch for you. Give him the [wicketkeeping] gloves, he'll do that. So that makes you a real asset to take those catches when so many catches have gone down recently." "A skilled cricketer that has experience, wants to be a part of the team, is a thorough gentleman. He's very articulate when he speaks. I suppose, between you and I, we've got a bit of fandom for Jason" Vikram Solanki Since 2025, the period Solanki referred to, Holder has scored 742 runs in 41 T20 innings when batting between Nos. 5 and 7, going at a strike rate of 162.36 and averaging 28.53. Those long levers have also brought him 60 sixes in this period. That is apart from what he does in the bowling innings. With Phillips having disappointed with 67 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 124.07, Holder was a somewhat automatic fill-in. "He's a world-class allrounder, isn't he," Solanki said. "He's sort of proven across the years in international cricket and franchise cricket how measured he is and I think he's only getting better. He spoke about understanding his game and that of course comes with experience. Any player that has played for as long as he has, around the world as he has, led teams as he has - international teams and been part of different teams - starts to get an understanding of what should be done in any given situation and Jason is certainly doing that. "He's had to wait his time before he's got an opportunity, but since he's got an opportunity in all of the games he's played, he's made good contributions. And today in the field, he was brilliant. He's also quite smart in playing exactly the way he needs to given any sort of situation and that partnership with Rahul Tewatia [30 runs for the sixth wicket against RCB] is exactly an example of that." All the things Holder can do when at his best makes him "the perfect storm", Solanki said. "A skilled cricketer that has experience, wants to be a part of the team, is a thorough gentleman. He's very articulate when he speaks. I suppose, between you and I, we've got a bit of fandom for Jason."

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Towhid Hridoy scored a quick half-century in the c

Bangladesh eye rare double-series win over New Zealand in rainy Dhaka

Bangladesh go into the third T20I chasing a bit of history: they have never won more than one series against New Zealand on a tour. They won the ODI series 2-1 earlier after being down 1-0, and started the T20I series with a win in the first game after a thrilling chase. Rain meant no play in the second T20I, meaning Bangladesh can't lose this series, and they should begin the final game high on confidence after chasing down the 183-run target without much fuss. It was the middle-order batters who made the difference then, as the trio of Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Parvez Hossain accelerated perfectly to go past the target with two overs in hand. Bangladesh would, however, want their openers to show a bit more urgency in the powerplay. Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan are both capable batters, but couldn't hit a higher gear in that first outing. Saif's 17 took 16 balls and Tanzid's 20 came off 25 balls. Especially when it came to Saif, there seemed to be a focus on boundaries: he got two fours and six, but conceded far too many dot balls. New Zealand had the opposite experience in the last game. Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver struck rapid half-centuries during a second-wicket stand of 88 with some attractive strokes. But once they left the scene, the middle-order struggled to keep the innings going. Only stand-in captain Nick Kelly struck the ball cleanly, scoring a 27-ball 39, as they missed out on the 200-plus total they looked likely to get. With the ball, New Zealand's inexperience showed. Perhaps they missed a trick by not including left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox. A few really big overs hurt them in the first game, and they will want to address that. Form guide Bangladesh WWWLL (last five completed games, most recent first) New Zealand LLLWW In the spotlight: Bangladesh's middle-order and Ish Sodhi There was a lot of concern about Bangladesh's middle-order ahead of the T20I series. Hridoy had a difficult outing in the third ODI, when he couldn't farm the strike in the death overs with lower-order batters batting with him. Hridoy, however, turned things around with Parvez and Shamim in the first T20I, as they put up one of the best performances by the Bangladesh middle-order in a T20I chase. Parvez is a convert, having only started batting in the middle order since the start of this year, while Shamim shed the rust of not playing a competitive match for two months with some mind-boggling shots. Ish Sodhi is the most successful bowler across the two squads, with 164 wickets in T20Is. He is level with Tim Southee as New Zealand's highest wicket-taker in this format, but it was his expensive third over that turned the tide in Bangladesh's favour in the first game. Sodhi finished with 2 for 40 from his four overs. Sodhi will be expected to turn things around in the more spin-friendly conditions in Dhaka. Team news: Lennox could get a game Bangladesh are unlikely to change the team that played in the first T20I. Bangladesh: 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Parvez Hossain Emon, 4 Litton Das (capt, wk), 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Ripon Mondol New Zealand could bring Lennox into their playing XI. Who goes out is the question. Debutant Matthew Fisher gave 53 runs from his four overs in the first game, and could be the one to face the axe, with Ben Lister having conceded just 23 from his four overs and Josh Clarkson 28 from three. New Zealand: 1 Tim Robison, 2 Katene Clarke, 3 Dane Cleaver (wk), 4 Nick Kelly (capt), 5 Bevon Jacobs, 6 Dean Foxcroft, 7 Josh Clarkson, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Matt Fisher/Jayden Lennox, 11 Ben Lister Pitch and conditions Despite the change of venue from Chattogram to Dhaka, the forecast remains bad. The pitches in Dhaka have been under the covers for a few days, and that could mean moisture on the top layer, which could aid the fast bowlers. But there's every chance the match will be hit hard by the weather. The second T20I in Chattogram was only the second instance of a T20I being abandoned without a ball bowled in Bangladesh.

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Jake Weatherald is headed home to South Australia

Weatherald returns to two-time defending Shield champions South Australia

Two-time defending Sheffield Shield champions South Australia have pulled off a major coup by luring incumbent Test opener Jake Weatherald back to Adelaide despite having two years to run on his deal with Tasmania. Weatherald, who is originally from the Northern Territory, propelled himself to a Test debut last summer on the back of his performances for Tasmania after moving to Hobart in 2023, having played his first eight seasons in Shield cricket with South Australia between 2015 and 2022. The 31-year-old's promotion to the Cricket Australia contract list made it possible for him to move back to South Australia where his wife has remained to live and work despite Weatherald spending the majority of each summer in Hobart over the last three years. CA contracted players sit outside the state salary cap and can freely nominate the state they wish to play for if they are not already contracted to a state. In Weatherald's case, he needed Tasmania to agree to terminate his two-year deal to remain in Hobart and they have done that at the cost of losing their most prolific Shield run-scorer over the past two summers. Weatherald's return to SA, where he has played 60 Shield matches and scored nine of his 13 first-class hundreds, further strengthens the two-time defending champions. However, if he remains as Australia's incumbent Test opener for the summer ahead it is possible he and Test opening partner Travis Head will not open in many, if any, games for SA next summer. Australia has 13 Tests against South Africa (away), New Zealand (home), India (away) and England (home) during the Shield season. If Weatherald plays all 13 there will only be a brief window in November where he may be available for some Shield games depending on his need to rest between the tour of South Africa in October and the four-match series against New Zealand that starts in early December. Australia then have a five-match tour of India that starts in mid-January and runs until March before they return for the one-off 150th Anniversary Test against England on March 11. Weatherald would likely be available if SA qualified for a third-straight Shield final at the end of March. He played in two Shield finals for SA against Victoria in 2016 and 2017 alongside Test team-mates Head and Alex Carey, scoring 66, 96, 60 and 2. But like Head, he has not played in a winning Shield final in his career to-date. Weatherald remains contracted to Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL after signing a two-year deal ahead of last season but he did not play for Hurricanes after the Ashes, instead choosing to work on his red-ball batting ahead of the back-end of the Shield summer with Tasmania. Meanwhile, South Australia have also added former New South Wales wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Gilkes to their squad. The 26-year-old left-hander had a stop-start career with NSW playing 45 Shield games and 41 List A games across seven seasons. He has reached fifty 19 times in 78 Shield innings, including twice in his last match against Western Australia in March, but is yet to register a first-class century and averages just 26.98. He might get the chance to keep in both formats with Carey unlikely to play much for SA next summer due to Australia's Test schedule. Left-arm seamer Campbell Thompson has been promoted from the rookie list after making a successful Shield debut against Queensland in February. Allrounder Noah McFadyen has been rewarded after two outstanding seasons in Premier cricket with Adelaide. He was close to making his Shield debut against Victoria just prior to the Shield final. Jerrssis Wadia has also been added to the list after a breakout BBL with Adelaide Strikers. SA have omitted rookie wicketkeeper-bat Harry Matthias from their contract list. Veteran batters Daniel Drew and Connor McInerney have also dropped off the list. Thomas Kelly has stepped away from the state list but remains with Adelaide Strikers in the BBL while Aidan Cahill has also lost his contract. South Australia's 2026-27 squad: Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey (CA), Brendan Doggett (CA), Jake Fraser‑McGurk, Matthew Gilkes, Travis Head (CA), Henry Hunt, Hanno Jacobs, Spencer Johnson, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Noah McFadyen, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Henry Thornton, Campbell Thompson, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Mackenzie Harvey, Jerrssis Wadia, Jake Weatherald (CA). Rookies: Thomas Brown, Kane Halfpenny, Douwtjie Hoogenboezem, Hayden Schiller Ins: Matthew Gilkes (NSW), Noah McFadyen, Jerrssis Wadia, Jake Weatherald (Tasmania), Thomas Brown, Kane Halfpenny, Hayden Schiller Outs: Daniel Drew, Thomas Kelly, Conor McInerney, Harry Matthias, Aidan Cahill

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Shakib Al Hasan, who last played for Bangladesh in

Shakib on Bangladesh's T20 World Cup pull-out: 'A blunder from the government side

Shakib Al Hasan feels Bangladesh's interim government committed a "blunder" by not allowing the national team to take part in the T20 World Cup held in February-March. The ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after their government refused permission for them to travel and play in India, citing security concerns. It was the first time since 1999 that Bangladesh had not been involved in a World Cup. "I think it was a big loss. It was a great miss as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned," Shakib said on the sidelines of a EUT20 Belgium event in Mumbai. "We as a country love watching our players playing in the World Cup. We are a cricket-loving country. I think it was a blunder from the government side that they took the decision not to participate in the World Cup." The situation arose after the BCCI removed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL for unspecified reasons, against the backdrop of deteriorating political ties between India and Bangladesh. The BCB had pushed for Bangladesh's matches to be relocated to Sri Lanka, but the ICC Board voted against that. In the weeks of negotiations that eventually broke down, Asif Nazrul, who was then Bangladesh's sports adviser, had said on several occasions that the BCB had acted on the government's orders. After Bangladesh's ouster from the World Cup had been confirmed, however, Nazrul had backtracked and claimed that the BCB had acted independently. Bangladesh's decision to not travel to India strained the relationship between the BCB and the BCCI. Shakib said he expects things to improve between the two boards, especially if India tour Bangladesh for a white-ball series in September this year. "I think things will get better," Shakib said. "The effort should be made [to improve relationship between BCCI and BCB]. I think one or two series if Bangladesh visit to India or India go to Bangladesh; like I heard there's a series that is likely to happen in August or September. When that happens, I think the ice will break, and things will get better. Shakib was also asked about his long-time Bangladesh team-mate Tamim Iqbal becoming the new board president. The two had a public fallout before the 2023 World Cup, when Shakib captained a squad from which Tamim had been dropped. Shakib, however, welcomed Tamim as the BCB chief. "I think he will have a long-term plan if he becomes president," Shakib said. "Hopefully Bangladesh cricket will get benefit from him." Shakib, Bangladesh's greatest cricketer and one of the world's leading allrounders, has not played international cricket since October 2024, though he continues to play franchise tournaments around the world. He now lives in the USA, and has not returned to Bangladesh since the ouster of the Awami League government in August 2024. Shakib was a Member of Parliament with that party. He faces several cases that were filed against him after the fall of that government, but Bangladesh's new sports minister Aminul Haque has said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, which came into power in February 2026, would fast-track the cases against both Shakib and Mashrafe Mortaza - another former Bangladesh captain and Awami League MP - to enable their returns to Bangladesh cricket. Shakib had said earlier this year in a podcast hosted by the former England allrounder Moeen Ali that he hopes to return to Bangladesh and play a full series, with matches in all three formats, before announcing his retirement. "I think things will start getting better sooner or later," Shakib said on Wednesday, when asked if he wants to play a farewell match in Dhaka. "I am hopeful that I can get what I want."

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