Shakib Al Hasan is back as Bangladesh captain, but there's a twist

Shakib Al Hasan has returned as captain, but not of the Bangladesh national team. The veteran all-rounder will lead the Bangladesh Tigers in the Asian Legends League, while hopes of an international comeback remain alive after the BCB confirmed he is eligible for selection.Shakib Al Hasan is back as Bangladesh captain, but there's a twist. Courtesy: PTIShakib Al Hasan is back as Bangladesh captain... well, sort of. Before fans celebrate what looks like an international comeback, here's the catch. Bangladesh's greatest-ever all-rounder isn't returning to lead the national team just yet. Instead, the 38-year-old has been named captain of the Bangladesh Tigers for the upcoming Asian Legends League, giving supporters a nostalgic glimpse of a familiar sight.The Bangladesh Tigers have assembled an experienced squad featuring Alok Kapali (vice-captain), Dhiman Ghosh, Mehedy Maruf, Shafiul Islam, Abul Hassan Raju and several other former domestic and international stars. While it is a legends competition, Shakib's return to a leadership role is bound to be one of the tournament's biggest talking points.After all, captaining Bangladesh has been synonymous with Shakib for much of the last decade. Widely regarded as the country's greatest cricketer, he has scored more than 14,000 international runs, taken over 700 wickets across formats and spent years as the world's top-ranked all-rounder. His impact on Bangladesh cricket is virtually unmatched. Courtesy: Asian Legends League WHEN WILL SHAKB RETURN?That remains the million-dollar question. Although Shakib is set to lead the Bangladesh Tigers, his return to the Bangladesh national team remains on hold. The veteran has not been able to return to his home country following the political turmoil that erupted after the fall of the Awami League government in 2024. Legal cases and security concerns forced him to miss what was expected to be his farewell Test in Dhaka, leaving his international future uncertain.There is, however, a ray of hope. Earlier this year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reopened the door for Shakib's international comeback, stating that he remains eligible for selection provided he is available, fit and able to travel to match venues. The board also confirmed it would issue him No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas tournaments, signalling that it still sees a place for the veteran in Bangladesh cricket.For now, though, Shakib's captaincy return comes with an asterisk. It is not the Bangladesh team millions grew up watching, but it is still Shakib leading a side in green and red. And sometimes, that's enough to remind fans why he remains one of the greatest names the country has ever produced.Bangladesh Tigers squad for Asian Legends LeagueShakib Al Hassan (C), Nazmues Sadat, Mehedy Maruf, Alok Kapali (VC), Dhiman Ghosh (WK), Abul Hassan Raju, Shafiul Islam, Muktar Ali, Nazmul Hossain Milon, Taposh Ghosh, Uttam Kumar Sarker, Saqlain Sojib, Farhad Hossain, Emon Ahmed, Al Mamun Rashel, Sadequr Rahman- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 18:12 IST