In a remarkable turnaround, Shakib Al Hasan wasted no time shifting his attention back to the cricket field, barely 24 hours after securing victory in the national election for his constituency, Maguraඣ-1.

The star all-rounder made a surprise appearance at the indoor nets in Mirpur yesterday afternoon, catching media and onlookers off guard. While many national players had already wrapped up their individual sessions, Shakib’s unexpected return kept a group of journalists and fans lingering at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) until sunset.

Surrou𝓰nded by well-wishers and greeted with flower garlands from the groundsmen, Shakib downplayed his political role within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) premises, emphasizing that the cricket field remained his primary domain.

“This is not politics. This is a cricket field. I am still holding the same old position [as a cricketer],”

he conveyed to the groundsmen.

Clearly eager to resume activities in his familiar cricketing territory, Shakib arrived equipped with a brand-new bat, ready for an indoor net session. His childhood mentor,🎉 Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, oversaw his batting practice.

Having been sidelined with a finger injury since th꧅e ICC ODI World Cup game against Sri Lanka, Shakib missed the Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent tour of New Zealand. In a recent interview, he confirmed his return to action with the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League, scheduled to kick off on January 19.

Despite his political engagement in Magura, Shakib maintained some physical ac🦩tivity, preparing for his cricket comeback. Yesterday marked his return to batting with cricket balls in the nets. Fahim reported,

“Yeah, no complaints regarding his finger while he was batting. I haven’t seen him bowl yet, but once he does that, I will be able to tell. His batting looked really good.”

As reporters observed from a distance, the satisfying sound of Shakib’s bat echoed his enjoyment of being back in the cricketing arena after the demands of politics. Fahim addressed potential rustiness, stating,

“Yes, there can be doubts within himself since he doesn’t get this kind of gap [in cricket activities]. So, once he gets into his groove, it becomes okay in no time.”

The current No.1 all-rounder in ICC’s ODI and T20I rankings engaged in training exercises on the SBNCS field, running across the turf and incorporating soft-ball deliveries into his rehabilitation process. A BCB official mentioned,

“There is still some pain in the finger, but it’s not a matter of concern since 70-80 percent of the pain has gone away. With a dedicated focus on strengthening his finger, he should be in good shape ahead of the BPL.”