Former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan on Wednesday expressed confidence that Bangladesh cricket will benefit from Tamim Iqbal’s leadership if he secures a full-term presidency at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Tamim was appointed president of the BCB’s ad hoc committee on April 7 after the National Sports Council (NSC) dissolved the previous Aminul Islam Bulbul-led board, following allegations of widespread irregularities during the October 6 elections last year.
The NSC formed an 11-member committee, headed by Tamim, and tasked it with organising fresh elections by July 6. However, the current board is aiming to complete the process earlier, with elections likely to be held in early June. Tamim has already expressed his intention to contest for the presidency for a full four-year tenure.
“I would say that he (Tamim Iqbal) was not elected; he has been given the responsibility to organise the election. Hopefully, if he becomes president, I think he will have a long-term plan, and Bangladesh cricket will definitely benefit from him,” Shakib told reporters in Mumbai on the sidelines of the EU T20 Belgium 2026 jersey launch.
Shakib also described Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC T20 World Cup as a “blunder” by the previous government, calling it a major setback for the country’s cricket.
The interim government had barred the national team from travelling to India for the tournament after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their 2026 IPL squad. Scotland later replaced Bangladesh in the competition.
“I think it was a blunder from the government side that they took the decision not to participate in that World Cup,” he said. “It was a big loss. We are a cricket-loving nation, and not taking part in a World Cup was a huge miss.”
Despite that setback, Shakib expressed optimism about the team’s current trajectory, particularly after their recent success against New Zealand.
“The Bangladesh team are doing really well at the moment. They have just beaten New Zealand and won their first T20I against them. It’s a good team,” he said. “Earlier, the side relied more on individuals, but now it is more team-oriented, which is the best way forward.”
Answering about missing the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shakib suggested that a generational shift is underway.
“I have played enough in the IPL. A new generation has come in, and they are performing really well. I see very few players of my age still playing there -- maybe one or two, at most five. Overall, I don’t think more than five players of my age are still active in the IPL. So, it’s difficult for me to play the IPL with the competitiveness. I’m not missing it, but I do enjoy watching it,” he said.
