The ongoing India vs Afghanistan ODI series has just caused a surprise move in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026. MI New York have roped in Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan for MLC 2026, but only as a short-term fill-in. He’s replacing Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar, who’s away on national duty for Afghanistan.
MI New York confirmed that Ghazanfar will leave the franchise camp to join Afghanistan’s national squad for the three-match ODI series against India. He has already played the first two ODIs and is expected to feature in the third ODI in Chennai as well. With the young spinner unavailable for a couple of initial league stage matches, the franchise moved quickly to secure an experienced replacement. They have turned to one of the most accomplished all-rounders in T20 cricket history.
Shakib Al Hasan continues MI’s association
The India-Afghanistan ODI series has unexpectedly handed Shakib Al Hasan a lifeline in what has been a turbulent year for the Bangladesh all-rounder. Shakib is already familiar with the Mumbai Indians ecosystem after representing MI Emirates in the ILT20. Although he never played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, this will be his second MI-owned franchise. He went to the ILT20 2025/26 final with MI Emirates.
At MLC, Shakib has previously represented Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) back in 2024.
The former Bangladesh captain has not featured in competitive cricket in 2026. Although the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cleared him for selection earlier this year, political and legal issues have kept him away from international action.
Shakib remains outside Bangladesh amid concerns over his safety and ongoing legal issues following the political upheaval that followed the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. The veteran recently revealed that his bank accounts in Bangladesh had been frozen as well.
His hopes of playing a major international tournament this year were also dashed when Bangladesh missed the T20 World Cup. The interim government refused to send the team to India, citing security concerns, leading to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in the tournament. Shakib himself was against this decision, and it was a major mistake that hurt the country’s cricketers.
MI New York Squad
Agni Chopra, Faisal Khan Ahmadzai, Corey Anderson, Kunwarjeet Singh, Kieron Pollard, Sunny Patel, Corbin Bosch, Romario Shepherd, Tajinder Dhillon, Quinton de Kock, Monank Patel, Nicholas Pooran, Ryan Rickelton, Trent Boult, AM Ghazanfar, Nosthush Kenjige, Tristan Luus, Rushil Ugarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (temporary player).
