Shakib Al Hasan is back in charge of the Bangladesh Tigers team and fans will feel nostalgia for Bangladesh fans. But the fans who are expecting the Bangladesh national team revival in the national colors now must temper their hopes because the 38-year-old maestro has not made a call-up to the senior national team. So instead, Shakib Al Hasan is in charge of the Bangladesh Tigers side for the team as the country’s most popular cricketer will lead the squad for the international side in the next and eagerly awaited second edition of the Asian Legends League. Even though the tournament is full of retired and veteran international stars, not players in action, it is great news for Bangladesh fans to see the country’s greatest talisman still leading the team.
The Bangladesh Tigers are a team with an experienced and deep-rooted roster packed with former international stars. Shakib takes over as a leader from a talented group, and Alok Kapali is the vice-captain. The 16-man team now has wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh and opening batsman Mehedi Maruf, alongside pace stalwarts Shafiul Islam and Abul Hassan Raju. Shakib's presence in the team is a welcome sight for any team to have him as the captain of Bangladesh Tigers for a tournament that celebrates the history of Asian cricket, making Shakib one of the focal points of the tournament.
Shakib is one of the best Bangladeshi cricketers of all time. He has over 14,000 international runs and more than 700 wickets in all formats and had an extended run at the top of the global all-rounder rankings. Any time a team has him as a leader is a big deal. But coming back to the international stage will leave a huge cloud.
Shakib’s return to the senior team is still on hold due to the political chaos and legal challenges that have emerged since the political upheaval and the loss of the Awami League administration in 2024. He could not return home for the emotional farewell Test match in Dhaka because of all the security issues and legal issues. But the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has always left the door open for Shakib to return to the international team and as long as he is fit, available, and able to travel, they will give him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for global franchise leagues.
But Shakib back in green and red colors—even on the legends circuit—is a testament to his class. As Bangladesh Tigers prepare for the tournament, all eyes will probably be on their great captain as he tries to bring the old magic come alive again that once defined this era of Bangladeshi cricket.
