Bangladeshi cricket great Shakib Al Hasan says he is ready to return after two years abroad, face trial on charges including murder and play a farewell series at home if Bangladesh’s government guarantees his safety.
The 39-year-old former captain, who was a politician for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, also hopes to represent Bangladesh at the 2027 Cricket World Cup. He told Reuters he is currently playing franchise cricket in Sri Lanka and does not want to wait long before retiring.
At a glance:
- Shakib says two cases remain active: one concerning the alleged killing of a protester during the August 2024 uprising and another brought by anticorruption authorities.
- He says a return plan in late 2024 was abandoned after he was told during a flight to turn back, and that a later plan collapsed after he posted a birthday message for Hasina.
- Shakib says his Bangladeshi bank accounts have been frozen for about a year and a half while investigations continue.
- He says he has not seen his parents in Bangladesh for two years.
What Shakib is asking for
Shakib said he wants the government to confirm that his security will be protected before he returns. He said he is willing to appear in court and complete whatever legal process is required, while denying that he has done anything wrong.
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He said he had written through a lawyer to Bangladesh’s interior, law and sports ministries and to police under the previous interim government, asking for what he called fabricated charges to be withdrawn. He said he received no response and wants to speak with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman about returning.
The cases and failed return attempts
Shakib said one active case concerns the alleged killing of a protester during the 2024 uprising, while the other was filed by anticorruption authorities. He said the murder case was filed on a day in August 2024 when he was playing in Toronto and that he has not appointed a defence lawyer.
He said he once boarded a flight home after receiving assurances from the interim government about security, but officials told him during the journey to turn back. He landed in Dubai and returned to New York. He said a later return plan was blocked after he posted a birthday message for Hasina.
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Political ties and cricket plans
Shakib defended appearing virtually at a Delhi news conference with Hasina, saying he had called for peace and Bangladesh’s progress. His house in Bangladesh was attacked after the appearance, according to the account provided to Reuters.
He rejected suggestions that he distance himself from Hasina and the Awami League to make a return easier. Shakib said he remains active in franchise leagues, feels he is playing well and wants a farewell series at home, but acknowledged that his age means he cannot postpone retirement indefinitely.
A wider test for Bangladesh
Shakib’s situation reflects the broader legal and political fallout after Hasina’s government was toppled during a deadly student-led uprising in August 2024. Dozens of her allies face criminal charges and have been unable to return, according to the source material.
Hasina is living in India and has been sentenced to death in absentia over the crackdown on the protests, which the United Nations said killed about 1,400 people. She has said she and other Awami League leaders plan to return voluntarily in December. Shakib said he would prefer to return immediately, or otherwise alongside her.
Questions readers ask
What conditions has Shakib set for returning to Bangladesh?
He says he will return if the government guarantees his safety and allows him to face the court process.
Does Shakib plan to retire from international cricket?
He has not retired and hopes to play a farewell series at home and represent Bangladesh at the 2027 Cricket World Cup, but says he cannot wait indefinitely because of his age.
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