Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- Stepping into the government as the newly minted state minister for sports, Aminul Haque has spoken out on a range of pressing issues plaguing Bangladesh's sports, with the fate of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan taking centre stage.

Aminul, former national football captain, signalled an end to the spell of sporting exile for the two household names who have been adrift since the political tectonics shifted in August 2024.

Addressing a packed press gallery at the Parliament Complex on Tuesday, Aminul was resolute on the legal and political clouds hanging over the former captains.

"The matter of Shakib and Mashrafe. this is a state decision. I believe that, at the state level, we must act with great flexibilit...