“That’s A Big Loss…” Shakib al-Hasan Criticises Bangladesh’s Decision To Pull Out Of T20 World Cup

Bangladeshi cricketer and former captain, Shakib Al Hasan, has criticised the team's withdrawal from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, a major mistake. The left-hand all-rounder added that for a nation that lives for cricket, it has been a major mistake on the part of the board to miss the T20 World Cup. The former captain felt skipping the tournament damaged fans the most, as Bangladesh lost the chance to watch national players on a global stage.

Bangladesh had refused to travel to India for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council kept the event structure intact by handing Scotland Bangladesh's place. Shakib spoke about the decision during the EU T20 Belgium 2026 jersey launch event held in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Shakib Criticises Bangladesh's Missed T20 World Cup Opportunity

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Shakib said, "I think that's a big loss. A great miss as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned because we as a country love watching our players play World Cups." The all-rounder made it clear that the pain was shared by supporters across Bangladesh.

Shakib went further and directly blamed those in charge at home. "We are a cricket-loving country, and a country like Bangladesh not participating in the World Cup was a big miss. I think it's a blunder from the caretaker government that they took the decision not to participate in that World Cup."

Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh T20 World Cup Future

The 37-year-old also faced questions about a possible farewell appearance at international level. Shakib kept options open without confirming anything. "We'll see that later. But I think things will start getting better sooner or later with time. I'm hopeful that I can get what I want," Shakib said.

Shakib then turned to the Indian Premier League, where Shakib had once been a regular presence. The all-rounder accepted that the league now belongs to fresher faces. "I have played enough. The younger generation has come in and they are performing really well. It's difficult for me now with the competitiveness, but I'm not missing it. I enjoy watching it," he said.

'...Go For Next 50 Years' Shakib On IPL And Impact On Indian Cricket

Speaking about the IPL's role in shaping Indian cricket, Shakib praised the constant flow of youngsters. "There are a lot of young players coming in... the pipeline in Indian cricket is such that it can go on for the next 50 years," he noted. Shakib also hinted that heavy focus on franchise cricket could put pressure on Test cricket.

Looking at Bangladesh's own direction, Shakib stressed the need for collective strength instead of relying on star names. "Previously it used to be individuals, now it's more about the team and that's the better way forward," Shakib said, adding that Shakib trusted the emerging group of players to carry Bangladesh cricket ahead.

Shakib's comments combined frustration with guarded optimism, as Shakib criticised the decision to skip the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup while welcoming fresh talent in both India and Bangladesh. For Shakib, Bangladesh's future lies in stronger team performances, even as one major global tournament passes without the country's involvement.