Bangladeshi cricket star Shakib Al Hasan, closely allied with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has expressed his readiness to return to Bangladesh from a two-year exile, face ongoing legal charges including murder, and participate in a farewell cricket series if assured of his safety by the government.
Since the ousting of Hasina’s government during a violent student-led uprising in August 2024, Shakib, a 39-year-old former lawmaker from Hasina’s Awami League, has been residing in the United States. Despite the turmoil, he has not retired from international cricket and remains hopeful of playing a farewell series on home soil as well as representing Bangladesh in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against Shakib following Hasina’s fall, with authorities accusing him of various crimes, including murder—allegations he firmly denies. As one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated cricketers, having represented the nation across all formats for nearly twenty years, his case underscores the broader political repercussions faced by Hasina’s allies, many of whom are now unable to return due to criminal charges.
His potential return poses a significant challenge for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration, raising questions about its willingness to accommodate figures linked to the former ruling party. Notably, Hasina herself, currently living in India and sentenced to death in absentia over the crackdown on protests that resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths, has announced plans to return voluntarily in December 2024.
Speaking from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, Shakib stated he would come back immediately if the government guarantees his security; otherwise, he intends to return alongside Hasina. He emphasized his loyalty to Hasina’s leadership, saying, “Whatever the captain says, we follow her.”
Shakib defended his recent virtual participation in a Delhi press conference with Hasina, after which his unoccupied residence in Bangladesh was attacked, clarifying that he advocated only for peace and progress in Bangladesh and expressed no regrets.
He revealed he had sought through legal channels to have the charges against him dismissed, writing to the interior, law, and sports ministries and police during the previous interim government, but received no response. Shakib remains eager to discuss his return directly with Prime Minister Rahman, whose spokespeople have yet to comment.
Regarding his cricket career, Shakib acknowledged that while he is still enjoying playing in various franchise leagues and performing well, age is becoming a limiting factor, and he does not plan to delay retirement much longer.
In a notable incident in late 2024, Shakib recounted boarding a flight to Bangladesh under assurances from the interim government that he would be protected. However, mid-journey, he was instructed to turn back and returned to New York, where he lives with his wife and three children. He expressed confusion over what changed within 12 hours, as the trip had been planned over several days.
A subsequent return attempt failed after he posted a birthday message for Hasina on social media, which authorities cited as grounds to deny his entry. Shakib questioned the legitimacy of such criteria for barring his re-entry.
He rejected suggestions that distancing himself from Hasina and the Awami League would facilitate his return, stating he would not consider abandoning his political affiliations.
In 2024, the interim government’s sports adviser indicated that Shakib would receive security like other cricketers but urged him to clarify his political stance to reduce public backlash over his ties to the Awami League.
Currently, two cases remain active against Shakib: one alleging involvement in the killing of a protester during the uprising, and another by anti-corruption authorities regarding alleged financial misconduct. He described the murder charge as “laughable,” noting it was filed on a day he was playing a match in Toronto. He has yet to appoint a defense lawyer.
Shakib also revealed that his bank accounts have been frozen for over a year and a half amid investigations, though he declined to disclose details about the banks or amounts involved. He highlighted that he has been one of the highest taxpayers over the past decade and urged authorities to release his accounts if no evidence is found.
He shared the personal hardship of being separated from his parents, who remain in Bangladesh but have not been permitted to leave. “It’s been difficult for all of us, but we are surviving,” he said.
