New Delhi: Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hassan He did not hesitate to term his country’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as a “mistake”, saying it was a huge setback for a cricket-loving country.The veteran all-rounder gave a blunt verdict on the controversial decision on the sidelines of the EU T20 Belgium 2026 jersey launch in Mumbai on Wednesday.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Talking about Bangladesh’s absence from global events, Shakib said: “I think it’s a huge loss. It’s a huge absence for Bangladesh cricket because we as a country love watching our players play in the World Cup.”He added: “We are a country that loves cricket and it is a big pity that a country like Bangladesh is not participating in the World Cup. I think the (caretaker) government’s decision not to participate in that World Cup was a mistake. “His comments come after the International Cricket Council stood firm against Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India, eventually replacing them with Scotland in order to keep the tournament on the schedule.Shakib sounded hopeful when talking about his future and the possibility of a farewell appearance. “We’ll see about that later. But I think as time goes on, sooner or later things will start to look up. I hope I get what I want,” he said.never regretted intense pulsed lightcommend young talentsThe veteran also addressed his absence from the Indian Premier League, admitting that the competition has moved on.“I’ve played enough. The younger generation has come in and they’re doing really well. The competitiveness is difficult for me now, but I won’t miss it. I love watching it,” he said.Shakib was particularly impressed with India’s talent pool and highlighted how the Indian Cricket League continues to produce stars. “There are a lot of young players coming in… Indian cricket has a pipeline that can last for the next 50 years,” he pointed out, while warning that the focus on the IPL could affect Test cricket.“Team is more important than individual” in BangladeshLooking ahead to Bangladesh’s future, Shakib emphasized the shift from individual talent to collective strength.“It used to be about individuals, now it’s more about teams and that’s the better way forward,” he said, expressing confidence in the emerging generation.
