Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh's most celebrated cricketers, expressed his discontent over the interim government's decision to withdraw the national team from the T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March 2026. The International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the government cited security concerns for not permitting travel to India. Shakib stated, 'I think it was a big loss. It was a great miss as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned,' emphasizing the nation's passion for cricket and the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 1999. The situation escalated following the removal of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League, amid worsening political relations between India and Bangladesh. Despite the setback, Shakib remains hopeful for improved ties between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), especially with a potential white-ball series on the horizon. He also welcomed the appointment of his former teammate Tamim Iqbal as the BCB president, expressing confidence in his leadership. Currently residing in the USA, Shakib has not played international cricket since October 2024 and faces several legal challenges in Bangladesh. However, he is optimistic about returning to play and potentially retiring after a farewell match in Dhaka.