Shakib Al Hasan Returns as Captain, Set to Lead Bangladesh Tigers in Asian Legends League

July 31, 2026: Bangladesh cricket icon Shakib Al Hasan is set to return to competitive cricket, although not with the national team. After months of speculation over his future and possible return to Bangladesh, the veteran all-rounder has been appointed captain of the Bangladesh Tigers for the upcoming Asian Legends League. The news has delighted Shakib's fans, who will see him lead a team once again after a long gap.

The 38-year-old will captain a Bangladesh Tigers squad featuring several former national players. Alok Kapali has been named the vice-captain, while experienced names such as Dhiman Ghosh, Mehedi Maruf, Shafiul Islam and Abul Hasan Raju are also part of the squad. Although Shakib is not returning to international cricket yet, his appointment marks an important step in his comeback to the game.

National Team Return Still Uncertain

Shakib remains one of the greatest cricketers in Bangladesh's history. Over the past decade, he has scored more than 14,000 international runs and taken over 700 wickets across all three formats. He also spent several years as the world's No. 1 all-rounder in the ICC rankings. Despite his remarkable achievements, his return to the Bangladesh national team remains uncertain.

Following the political changes in Bangladesh in 2024, Shakib did not return to the country because of political unrest, legal issues and security concerns. As a result, he was unable to play his planned farewell Test match in Dhaka. Since then, there has been constant speculation about whether he would return to international cricket.

Recently, Shakib expressed optimism about returning home during an interview with an Indian media outlet. "I am hopeful that I will be able to return by the end of the year. I do not know how that will happen, but I am really hopeful," he said. Earlier this year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also took steps to facilitate his return by reviewing his legal documents and sharing them with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The board later stated that if Shakib remains fit and is able to travel, there would be no obstacle to his return to the national team. It has also indicated that he will continue to receive No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in overseas leagues.

সাকিবের নেতৃত্বে এশিয়ান লিজেন্ডস লিগ মাতাবে বাংলাদেশ টাইগার্স#AsianLegendsLeague #ShakibAlHasan #BDCricTime pic.twitter.com/BvIEUevjnu

— bdcrictime.com (@BDCricTime) July 30, 2026

Star-Studded Asian Legends League

The upcoming Asian Legends League will feature several former international stars from across the continent. Apart from the Bangladesh Tigers, the tournament will include the Asian Stars, Indian Royals, Afghanistan Pathans, Pakistan Panthers and Sri Lankan Lions.

The Indian Royals are expected to feature Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina, while the Sri Lankan Lions will include legends such as Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga. The Pakistan Panthers are likely to field experienced players including Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal.

Although Shakib's international future is still unclear, his return as captain of the Bangladesh Tigers gives fans another opportunity to watch one of Bangladesh's greatest cricketers back on the field. His leadership will be one of the biggest attractions of the upcoming Asian Legends League.