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Shakib Al Hasan termed Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup held in India earlier this year as a ‘big mistake’ and expressed hope that the cricketing relationship between the two teams can improve if they play a few series. Bangladesh did not tour India for the T20 World Cup, which was jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, after their fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. After this, Scotland was included in the tournament in place of Bangladesh.

‘I think it was a big loss,’ Shakib told reporters at the EUT20 Belgium jersey launch on Wednesday. He said, ‘It was a huge mistake from the point of view of Bangladesh cricket, because as a country we love to see our players playing in the World Cup and taking part in those matches.’

He said, ‘Our country loves cricket. It was a big mistake for a country like Bangladesh not to participate in the World Cup. It was a big mistake on the part of the government that they decided not to participate in the tournament.

Relationships will improve with one or two series

Bangladesh’s decision not to tour India for this major tournament could have a long-term impact on relations between the two neighboring countries but Shakib expressed hope that playing one or two series ‘can remove the bitterness between the two countries’.

He said, ‘I think the situation will get better.’ Shakib said, ‘Clearly, efforts will have to be made for this. I think if one or two series are played (whether Bangladesh tours India or India goes to Bangladesh) then I think the bitterness between the two countries will go away and the situation will get better. I heard that a series is happening in August or September.

Shakib wants to play one last match for Bangladesh

Awami League MP Shakib has not returned to Bangladesh due to security reasons and ongoing legal cases against him after the Sheikh Hasina-led government was ousted from power. However, this great player of Bangladesh hopes that before retiring from cricket, he will definitely play one last match for his country. When asked whether he would like to play the last match of his career, the player, who played 71 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20 Internationals for Bangladesh, said, ‘That will be seen later.’

He said, ‘I think things will start getting better. Everything falls into place with time so I hope I get what I want.

Team India’s dominance will last for 50 years

Shakib has played 9 seasons of IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shakib praised the strength of Indian cricket, which is due to its domestic structure and the IPL, but also said that Team India may have to struggle in Test cricket due to the attraction of T20 cricket.

He said, ‘At present, with the pipeline of players in Indian cricket, I think there will be no problem for at least the next 50 years. Because of the tournaments they have, they will continue to develop new players. Shakib said, ‘Maybe he will have to struggle in Test matches because everyone wants to play IPL. But they will continue to produce great players with the help of IPL and their domestic structure.