Hopeful of Returning Home by Year-End, Shakib Remains Optimistic Amid Uncertainty

Amid uncertainty surrounding his international career and future, a new ray of hope has emerged regarding Shakib Al Hasan’s return to Bangladesh. The country’s leading cricketer, who has been living abroad for a long time, has expressed optimism that he could return home by the end of this year—something that naturally brings renewed hope to his fans and the cricketing community in Bangladesh.

In an interview with Indian media outlet Sportstar, the former captain spoke openly about his current situation and future plans. Maintaining a positive outlook despite the uncertainty, he said, “I am hopeful that everything will be resolved by the end of the year. For now, I’m just expecting something positive. One thing is certain—I have to return to Bangladesh. The only question is how quickly that can happen. But I am hopeful that I will be able to return by the end of the year. I don’t know exactly how it will happen, but I am truly optimistic.”

Following the political change on August 5, 2024, Shakib has been residing in the United States with his family. However, he has not stepped away from cricket entirely, continuing to participate regularly in franchise leagues around the world, even though the national jersey has remained out of reach.

After the political shift, he played four Test matches for Bangladesh—all of them away from home. Although he had expressed a desire to retire on home soil, security concerns prevented his return. As a result, his prolonged absence from international cricket has become increasingly evident.

In this context, Shakib also acknowledged his limitations, admitting that a return to the national team is not entirely within his control and depends largely on the situation.

At the same time, he reflected on his decision to enter politics, expressing a sense of hindsight. He believes the timing could have been better. On this matter, Shakib said, “Looking back, perhaps it would have been better to enter politics after retirement—that might have been the ideal scenario.”

Overall, amid uncertainty and waiting, Shakib’s message is clear—he wants to return, and Bangladesh cricket now looks ahead to that possible comeback.