State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has ruled out a normal return home for former Bangladesh cricket team captain and member of Bangladesh Awami League, Shakib Al Hasan. 

Aminul said he lost that chance after appearing alongside ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at an event in New Delhi.

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His comments came hours after Shakib told Reuters that he was ready to return to Bangladesh, face court proceedings, and resume his international career if the government guaranteed his security.

"We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore," Aminul said.

"Someone who has taken the stage with the autocrat no longer has any opportunity to return," he added.

Shakib, who has been living in the United States since Hasina's government was toppled in the August 2024 uprising, said he was willing to return immediately if his safety was assured.

"If I get the clearance from the government that my security will be ensured, I am happy to go back, face the court trial and everything that's needed to be done," the 39-year-old all-rounder told Reuters by phone from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket.

Shakib said he wanted to play a farewell series in Bangladesh before retiring and hoped to represent the country at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The former Awami League lawmaker from Magura-1 also defended his virtual appearance at the New Delhi event alongside Hasina, saying he spoke about peace and Bangladesh's progress and had no regrets about taking part.

The government, however, said Shakib must face the legal process.

Shakib is among dozens of people facing murder investigations linked to the deadly crackdown on protesters before Hasina's government fell. He has denied wrongdoing, saying the cases against him are fabricated.