Despite announcing salary increases for players, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to pay star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the final four months of his national contract in 2024.
BCB officials confirmed to sources that the delay is due to Shakib’s bank account being frozen. An official stated they couldn’t process payments for September through December because of this issue.
Shakib is reportedly owed BDT 48 Lakhs (USD 38,400) before taxes. He held an all-formats contract for 2024, alongside other key players like Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
In 2024, Shakib expressed his wish to retire from Tests and T20Is, aiming for his last Test to be at home against South Africa. However, he did not play in that series due to security concerns.
During a Test series against India, Shakib was implicated in a murder case amidst political unrest. The BCB initially allowed him to continue playing, pending any conviction.
The board initially assured Shakib of safe return for the South Africa series but later changed their stance, prioritizing security during the Tests, especially after the ICC Women’s World Cup was moved from Bangladesh.
Shakib’s bank accounts were frozen on November 6th, adding to his challenges, possibly linked to his involvement in politics. Despite retiring from some formats, he had hoped to play in the Champions Trophy but missed out due to concerns about his bowling action.
BCB cricket operation chairman Nazmul Abedin assured that Shakib will receive his payment as per his contract agreement. He emphasized the board’s commitment to fulfilling their contractual obligations, regardless of whether a player is actively playing.
