Shakib withdraws from Premier League a day after signing

Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League just a day after signing for Legends of Rupganj.

There is no certainty about when—or if—Shakib Al Hasan will return to the national team. On top of that, he is currently facing a bowling ban, and returning to Bangladesh itself is not straightforward for the experienced all-rounder. Amid these uncertainties, Shakib had signed up for the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL), with Legends of Rupganj securing his services during the transfer window. The club's owner, Lutfur Rahman Badal, was optimistic about Shakib playing once he returned.

However, the situation took a sharp turn within just a day. Shakib has now withdrawn from the league.

Shakib has requested to keep his registration on hold, as confirmed by Legends of Rupganj official Tariqul Islam Tito. "As you know, we signed Shakib Al Hasan for Legends of Rupganj during the transfer process. But today, after speaking with him, he requested us to suspend his registration," Tito told The Business Standard.

In Shakib's absence, Rupganj has already signed Afif Hossain Dhrubo. "Respecting Shakib's request, we have informed the CCDM (Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis) about his withdrawal. He mentioned that he is currently unable to return to the country. Whenever he manages to come back, we will try to reach an understanding with the team he previously played for and register him with Legends of Rupganj if he wishes to play. In the meantime, we've already included Afif in the squad," Tito added.

The club officially informed the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) through a formal letter. It stated, "We registered Shakib Al Hasan as a player for Legends of Rupganj in the 2024-2025 season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. However, considering the surrounding circumstances and after consulting with Shakib, we have decided to suspend his registration. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and request you to take the necessary steps accordingly."

Although Shakib had expressed his desire to play his final Test match on home soil, that wish remained unfulfilled. Despite Chattogram Challengers signing him for the last edition of the BPL, he couldn't participate. The star all-rounder hasn't returned to Bangladesh since the political shift in August, which complicated his situation. Shakib was a member of the now-ousted Awami League-led parliament. Alongside political hurdles, his cricketing activities are restricted due to a bowling ban.

Shakib faced intense criticism for remaining silent during the student-led protests in July and August. Several cases, including one related to a murder charge, were filed against him after the movement ended. In November, he had to return to the USA from Dubai while en route to Bangladesh for the final Test against South Africa, following protests triggered by news of his arrival. Demonstrations continued for several days outside Mirpur Stadium.

When asked why they signed a cricketer who cannot return to Bangladesh, Rupganj owner Lutfor Rahman said, "From what I've heard, Shakib will undergo a third test in England during Ramadan. He has hired a coach there, and if the coach approves, he will take the test again. If he passes, I believe he can play in Bangladesh. We are fully hopeful about his availability; otherwise, why would we sign him if he couldn't play?"

Rahman emphasised that they signed Shakib the cricketer, not the politician: "Everyone knows Shakib is the biggest attraction for the team. I spoke to him while he was in the USA. It's like a son returning home – that's the real news here. Let me clarify, we didn't sign Shakib the politician; we signed Shakib the cricketer.He is a national asset, and we don't want to see his career fade away prematurely."

Shakib has been abroad for an extended period. After playing the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, he returned home briefly before heading to the USA for Major League Cricket (MLC). He later captained the Mississauga Tigers in Canada's Global T20 League and played a Test series in Pakistan in August. After that, he participated in county cricket in England before joining the Bangladesh team in India.